A Difficult Hill

High in a fold of Jug handle Peak in the mountains north of our home in Idaho lies a glacial lake. The route to the lake goes up a steep, exposed ridge through boulders and loose stones. It's a strenuous ascent.
      At the beginning of the climb, however, there is a Brook a spring that seeps out of soft, mossy earth and flows through a lush meadow. It's a quiet place to drink deeply and prepare for the hard climb ahead.
      In John Bunyan's classic allegory of the Christian life, The Pilgrim's Progress, Christian arrives at the foot of a steep ascent called the Hill Difficulty, " at the bottom of which was a spring.... Christian now went to the spring and drank to refresh himself, and then began to go up the hill."
      Perhaps the difficult mountain you face is a rebellious child or a serious medical diagnosis. The challenge seems more than you can endure.
     Before you face your next major task, visit the spring of refreshment that is God Himself. Come to Him with all your weakness, weariness, helplessness, fear and doubt. Then drink deeply of His power, strength, and wisdom. God knows all your circumstances and will supply a store of comfort, of spiritual strengthening and consolation. He will lift up your head and give you strength to go on.
Please read Jeremiah 40-42 and Hebrews 4