It was my first climb up Mt. Hood. It was hard. More difficult than I ever imagined. We’d purchased the equipment we needed to make the climb. Walked through the aisles at Andy & Bax, purveyor of used outdoor equipment to save money. I resisted buying a new backpack and told my husband a borrowed pack would be fine. It was a canvas one–very unlike the multiple styles of backpacks now–with thin canvas straps. Inside the pack were all my snacks, extra gloves, all the many things a climber needs to summit the highest peak in Oregon. We began the climb around midnight and depended on the snowy slopes to give us light along with the full moon. We tramped up the mountain for hours. Daylight was coming that May morning and I was exhausted. Worse yet, that borrowed pack was giving me trouble. My shoulder muscles were stiff and screaming out to me in pain. It would have helped to have had a backpack with padded straps. I didn’t want to complain because the other climbers in the group seemed to be doing fine. Finally, I told my husband I didn’t think I could finish my shoulders hurt so bad. My husband lifted the pack off of me and dropped it on the side of the trail. “It’ll be here when we come back,” he said.

I felt like I could fly after taking off the pack and we resumed the climb. We were nearly to the top and I knew I would make it. And we did. What relief the removal of the burden off of my shoulders made to me!

“Congratulations!” our climb leader said. “You made it to the top. Turn around. We need to get down.” There was no view, for a storm was coming. It was cold and our vision was blurred with blowing snow. The climb up was done. Now all we had to do was descend. Also difficult and dangerous, but I was giddy with relief the climb up was completed.

Another ascent up Hood with a better pack

Sometimes, we are in a situation where we want to quit. We can’t see the summit of what we’re going through. We are hurting. Sometimes physically, like my shoulders that early morning so long ago.  Sometimes mentally. You’re concerned about a loved one who has lost their way. You are ill and don’t think you’ll get better. A loved one is ill and the doctor says there’s no hope. It could be you are out of money and the month isn’t over yet.  What do we do about it when we’re in one of those situations?

Today, I read numerous passages in the Bible–the Old Testament and the New. I was inspired by what God did for people long ago. Reading them reminded me of times when I was weary or scared about something or someone. They reminded me of how much God loves me and how powerful He is and how He delights in us! These words are meant for us too. King David wrote after he’d been in deep trouble,  he rescued me because he delights in me (2 Samuel 22: 20). Another passage told me who God is: He gives power to the weak…Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. 31 But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint (Isaiah 40:27-31). In the New Testament, I was reminded, 8He will keep you strong to the end so that you will be free from all blame on the day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns. 9 God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says, and he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord (I Corinthians 1:8-9). And finally, one of my favorite passages, And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ (Ephesians 3: 17-18). 

There were many more passages I could quote, but these are the ones that encouraged me and I hope you as well. Read them over again. Copy them down. Read them out loud. They will strengthen you just as removing the poorly made backpack I wore on that mountain climb gave me new energy.

I finished my reading with this passage:  God is strong and can help you not to fall. He can bring you before his glory without any wrong in you and can give you great joy. 25 He is the only God, the One who saves us. To him be glory, greatness, power, and authority through Jesus Christ our Lord for all time past, now, and forever. Amen (Jude 24-25).

I pray these passages I’ve quoted will give you energy, courage, and strength as you face this day, just as they did me.

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When I was a music teacher with elementary students, they loved singing with motions. I’m including one I think my students would have loved. I hope you do, too!