How to Move a Mountain

Jul 11

Written By Carol McLeod

I am wondering if some of you are dealing with a mountain or two today.

Perhaps it is the mountain of mental illness or the mountain of adultery.

Maybe the mountain that you are facing is the mountain of financial instability or of addiction in someone’s life.

Mountains are menacing and intimidating.

Mountains often seem to get in the way of advancement or of walking into one’s destiny.

I have faced a mountain or two in my day as well.

There was the mountain of depression … and the mountain of infertility … and the mountain of cancer … and other mountains that I choose not to name.

A mountain rises from the landscape of one’s life and looms its dark shadow over everything in its pathway.

A mountain might appear impossible to climb … too big to go around … and too massive to move.

What mountain are you facing today?

Let me tell you what my definition of a mountain is …

A mountain is simply anything that is too large, too massive and too fixed for a man or a woman to move beyond in their own strength.

It is possible to conquer a mountain … but it is impossible to do it alone.

It is possible to climb a mountain … but it is preposterous to assume that you can do it by just being you.

It is indeed possible to get around a towering elevation of sheer stone … but you need more than vitamins, a personal trainer and strong leg muscles to do so.

You need to be relentless … you need to get on your knees … you need to talk to your mountain … and you need Jesus.

Can I just coach you for a minute here? I have crushed a mountain or two in my day and I’d love to share my mountain-moving, hell-shaking, devil-whipping strategy with you!

First of all … You need to be relentless!

Don’t be intimidated by the mountain … the mountain should be intimidated by YOU!

Go for it! Do the next right thing!

If you need counseling … go for it!

If you need to ask for forgiveness … just do it!

If you need to break a bad habit … do it today and replace it with a good habit.

But whatever you do … don’t throw in the towel. The mountain is no match for you!

The next thing is … to climb a mountain you do it on your knees.

That’s right … get on your knees … and lift your hands in the air!

It is the posture of all expert mountain climbers!

The mountain won’t move until you move.

Move to your knees.

Pray until your voice is gone.

Pray in the dark of night. Pray at morning’s first light. Pray rather than eat.

Mountains are much less terrifying when viewed from the position of on your knees.

The truth is … that mountain is terrified what will happen to it when a man or woman of faith chooses to conquer it on their knees.

“The effective and fervent prayer of a righteous man or woman can accomplish much!” – James 5:15

Prayer moves mountains … make no mistake about it!

My third piece of wisdom is this … have you tried talking to the mountain?

Have you tried telling the mountain where to go?!

God honors a man or woman who owns the holy boldness to put a mountain in its place!

“And Jesus said to them, “ … Truly I say to you, if you faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.” – Matthew 17:20

Let me be practical with you for a minute and put some words in your mouth. The way that you talk to a mountain might sound like this:

“Mountain of infertility! Get out of my way! You will not stop God’s plans and purposes for my life!”

“Mountain of financial debt! Move in Jesus’ Name! I will tithe … I will pay my bills … I will give … I will use wisdom … and Jehovah Jireh is my Providor!”

“Mountain of discouragement … be gone in Jesus’ Name! I will worship through my pain! I will stay in His presence where there is always fullness of joy!”

And finally … you need Jesus.

You will never climb this mountain on your own. Take His hand.

Cling to Him. Let Him go first. Follow in His footsteps.

Be more aware of Him than you are of the mountain.

You see, my friend … when you are with Jesus … you will find that mountain climbing becomes a walk in the park.

When your closest Companion and dearest Friend is your Savior … you will discover that there is no mountain that will obstruct your view or impede your pathway.

He will always lead you beside quiet waters and give you rest in the green pastures.

Always.

Thanks for listening to my heart this week. As you know by now, my heart is truly not a perfect heart but it is a heart that is filled to overflowing with gratitude for the life I have been given and for the people who walk with me. And, it continues to be a heart that is relentlessly chasing after God and all that He is!

Carol McLeod

Carol says, “I am just a girl who is head over heels in love with Jesus ... passionately addicted to His Word ... and find all of the joy that I need in time spent in His presence." Carol is a Christmas-aholic, loves ACC basketball and the beach! Like all menopausal women, she is overly fond of chocolate and enjoys a good read. She doesn't like cleaning her house and is an expert in carry-out dinners. She hates to shop … loves to jog … and somehow finds time in her busy life to hang out with small children. She is the kind of woman that you could laugh with over lunch, cry with over disappointment and shout with over a victory! But … if you need her official bio … read on! Carol is an author and popular speaker at women's conferences and retreats, where she teaches the Word of God with great joy and enthusiasm. She also hosts highly successful Just Joy! outreaches. Carol encourages and empowers women with passionate and practical biblical messages mixed with her own special brand of hope and humor. Carol has written three books, "Holy Estrogen!", "The Rooms of a Woman's Heart" and "Defiant Joy!" which was released by a subsidiary of Thomas Nelson. Her teaching DVD, "The Rooms of a Woman's Heart", won the Telly Award, a prestigious industry award, for excellence in religious programming. Carol has also been featured on YouVersion (the smart phone Bible app) with several devotionals, including: "For the Journey Set Before Him", "Jolt of Joy", and "Joy to YOUR world", " Carol has a daily radio program, "Defiant Joy! Radio" which is available in several national markets including Youngsville PA, Warren PA, Buffalo NY, Roanoke VA, Norfolk VA, and Nashville TN. A 1977 graduate of Oral Roberts University with a degree in Music and English, Carol has the distinction of being both the first Women's Chaplain and the first woman to speak at the university's Vespers. Carol currently serves on the ORU Alumni Board as chaplain. She is married to her college sweetheart and love of her life, Craig, who serves as senior pastor of Life Church, a church near Buffalo, NY. Craig and Carol have been happily married for nearly 37 years and are the parents of five children and three delightful daughters-in-law. Craig and Carol are thrilled with the joy of being grandparents to five precious grandchildren! Carol has written three books, "Holy Estrogen!", "The Rooms of a Woman's Heart" and "Defiant Joy!" which was released by a subsidiary of Thomas Nelson. Her teaching DVD, "The Rooms of a Woman's Heart", won the Telly Award, a prestigious industry award, for excellence in religious programming. Carol has also been featured on YouVersion (the smart phone Bible app) with several devotionals, including: "For the Journey Set Before Him", "Jolt of Joy", and "Joy to YOUR world", " Carol has a daily radio program, "Defiant Joy! Radio" which is available in several national markets including Youngsville PA, Warren PA, Buffalo NY, Roanoke VA, Norfolk VA, and Nashville TN. A 1977 graduate of Oral Roberts University with a degree in Music and English, Carol has the distinction of being both the first Women's Chaplain and the first woman to speak at the university's Vespers. Carol currently serves on the ORU Alumni Board as chaplain. She is married to her college sweetheart and love of her life, Craig, who serves as senior pastor of Life Church, a church near Buffalo, NY. Craig and Carol have been happily married for nearly 37 years and are the parents of five children and three delightful daughters-in-law. Craig and Carol are thrilled with the joy of being grandparents to five precious grandchildren!

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