Can You Move a Mountain?

 I am sure you are familiar with the saying "faith can move mountains".  The basis for this thought comes from Matthew 17:20.

What is the mountain you are facing today?  Whether it is depression, anxiety, busyness, addiction, struggles with weight, financial hardship, career changes, marriage problems, health issues, unforgiveness, worrying about your children, and/or ______________ (you fill in the blank), we all have something we are dealing with in life.  We try to climb the mountain, go around the mountain, dig a tunnel through it, and we become tired and weary.  All of our energy is consumed by it and, at times, we feel like we cannot conquer it.  But, we can.

The passage I eluded to in the beginning, Matthew 17:20 states, "...Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move.  Nothing will be impossible for you."

A mustard seed is the tiniest of seeds, so that is very, very small faith.  But, what does He say?  With that smallest amount of faith, you can move that mountain (problem).  The thing that looks so big in your life and that situation that seems so impossible to get over, can be conquered just by believing.  Believe you can; believe you will; believe you are; and that situation will change.  

So don't feel defeated for one more moment. By faith, speak to the mountain and tell it to move out of your way.  

There are steps that I have taken, and some of them may help you, as well.

1.  Pray

2.  Speak faith - speak positive words into the situation.

3.  Read the Bible - don't know where to start then start with the passage above or get a daily devotional.

4.  Read books that encourage or can educate you on what you may be facing.

5.  Think about a change you can make in your life, and move in it one step at a time. 

6.  Maybe confide in someone you trust, someone who can encourage you, or keep you accountable in a situation.

7.  Listen to music that is positive, encouraging and/or worshipful.

8.  Look at things that are consuming your thoughts, time or energy and really examine what needs to stay, and what can be removed.

9.  Exercise, eat well, and get proper rest.

10.Pray, pray again, and then pray some more. :)

As I stated, these are some of the things that have helped me, even within this past week.  Those mountains can pop up in a moments notice, but they can be removed just as fast.  

Walk in freedom; walk in victory; walk in peace; walk in joy; walk in forgiveness; and walk in love. 

Small Steps Can Make a Big Difference.

Small steps can make a big difference.  

If you have the over-achiever gene like I do, taking small steps can be challenging.  I wanted to dive in to any goal and do the best, be the best, accomplish the goal ahead of schedule, and show that I can conquer the quest.

Then what?  Well, then I would start looking for the next thing to fulfill my time, and get the pats on the back, the high-fives, and way-to-goes.  

What I have learned, is that while going for the gold, I didn't enjoy the journey.  Taking small steps can help us to look around and enjoy the view, the people, the details.  While when we leap over the tall buildings in a single bound, we miss the beauty of the designs, the people walking and talking around us; everything is a blur. Sometimes, when we dive in too fast, we crash and burn, which is why a lot of resolutions stay unresolved. We take on challenges that are too big to keep up with and we get discouraged, feel like we failed, then we give up and surrender only to settle back into what we were trying to get away from in the first place.

I am sure you heard that slow and steady wins the race. This can be so true. Now that I am running, I understand it even more. Some may disagree and that is fine; this is from my perspective. When I want to finish a run fast and I start off fast, not only do I lose energy, but I barely make it to finish. However, when I slow my pace for the first half of my run, I am able to finish the second half stronger and in faster time.  

What is it that you are looking to change? The top 10 resolutions are get organized; help others; learn something new; get out of debt; more time with family; exercise; lose weight; quit smoking; quit drinking; enjoy life more. Whichever you choose, start small and take it one day at a time. Be sure not to lose the focus. Press on toward the goal.  We want the goal to be accomplished within the first month, when it is a new YEAR resolution. You have 365 days to work on it, not 30. Break your goals down into something that you can do within the next year. How do you do that? It can be easy.  

Let's take dieting or healthy eating as an example. I know it didn't seem to make the top 10, but let's face it, we've thought about it. As we were chomping on the cookies, chocolates, and egg nog, and feeling the effects of sleepiness and clothes getting tighter, the thought went to after the first of the year, I am going to eat better. We want to dump the carbs, dump the sugar, buy a juicer, and vow never to eat anything bad again. I counsel people when I am training them on nutrition and would never tell someone to dump it all on the first day. Small changes, one day at a time, will make big changes for them. Yes, I give them a shopping list of items and examples of meal plans, but I don't expect them to follow it to the letter their first week.  (Unless they are an over-achiever, of course). I ask them to journal so that we can see where their habits are and praise them on the small changes and conscious choices they may have made through the week. Even if it is something as simple as changing to alternate water after every other soda - it is better than drinking nothing but soda. They will continually cut back the soda until all they want is the water.  

Whatever your resolution, goal or vision is for this year, don't lose sight of it. Write it down, focus, and press on step by step. Believe you can and you will be able to accomplish anything!