Overcoming Mountains!

Have you ever climbed a mountain? I have. Not free climbing, climbing as in walking a path up the mountain. Describing it like that doesn't seem like it's all that hard except when you're starting your climb at 7,800 ft and climbing to 12,400 ft.

I prepared well. I had hiking boots that were top of the line. I chose a pack that was light and fit comfortably, and packed only what I would use. I layered for the changing temperature. Yet, there were some things I couldn't prepare for. Even though I was young and acclimated to the area, I struggled to keep my footing when the path turned to scrabble. At 11,000 ft., the air got a little thin for me. Forget about talking. Breathing became the focus. Finally, I reached the summit and I savored the view, my reward for enduring.

The Lord equips us so that we can “be more than conquerors” while on earth. Like anyone facing a difficult task the more you prepare the greater the likelihood of success. God wants us to prepare for spiritual battles. In Ephesians 6, Paul writes that we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

The Holy Spirit equips us to overcome powerful struggles with spiritual weapons; truth, righteousness, salvation, the gospel, faith, and scripture. We are defenseless if we don't use these weapons. It's foolish to think we can overcome spiritual forces with our wit and our determination. God equips us to conquer in the end and withstand until victory comes.

Truth, righteousness, salvation, the gospel, faith, and scripture. We need to become familiar with our equipment. If you haven't done so before, ask Jesus to save you. Turn away from things you know are wrong and turn to those things that are helpful. Read the bible and build your faith in a community of believers. We ARE more than conquerors through Jesus!