Facing An Uphill Battle? Remember This

Gary and I were walking a trail the other day and I was out of breath. Some days the incline kicks my tail and I think… whew.. am I just out of shape or is this more of a hill than I realize?

We stopped and I caught my breath. I was grateful that I’m not out here trying to do this on my own. And then we looked just ahead of us; a man had let his dog off the leash, and we watched as this very energetic dog ran up a very steep hill like it was nothing. I marveled at how effortless the sprint was and it made me think of this verse in Habakkuk 3:

“The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights. For the director of music. On my stringed instruments.”
‭‭- Habakkuk‬ ‭3:19‬ ‭

Have you ever seen a deer climb a steep hill? Even more impressive than a dog. Graceful and fast and seemingly effortless. A deer’s feet are designed to climb the heights.

For all the hills we are facing, the rough terrain of life can feel so steep, my feet feel so heavy and unsteady, and my breath labored. But the Sovereign Lord, who knows all I will go through and every hill in front of me, has made me able to tread up those hills.

He is my strength, my firm-footedness, my swift and steady power propelling me upward. I may be out of breath on a slight incline, but I’m still climbing. The Lord makes me agile and able in His strength.

Me – agile?! That’s not naturally a word anyone would use to describe me, but God alone knows the inclines I’m climbing.

I’m so glad I’m not out here trying to do this alone. I’m so glad it’s not all up to me.