When Determination Danced with Deep Doubts

The adventure started with sheer determination! "It will be fun, I convinced my husband." We marked the event on the calendar and packed our bags.

However, on the day of, doubts took over only halfway into the complicated mountain climb. After scaling 32 flights of stairs on a side of the mountain and more to go, my mind ran with thoughts of my inability as my legs wobbled like noodles with each step. I gasped for air, and sweat surfaced across my brow and upper lip. I admit that at one point, I laid in the middle of the path as my determination now danced with my doubts. My self-talk had questions like, "Can I finish the climb? Why am I even here when I could sit on my comfy couch? Am I enough to get to the top?"

My determination now danced with deep doubts.

Have you stepped towards a goal but wanted to quit halfway in? Has your determination danced with your doubts? Me too!

Here is what I am preaching to myself on the days when I want to quit.

"You don't have to see the whole staircase; just take the first step" (Martin Luther King).

Often, half the battle is just starting. Do not let fear stop you from chasing the end goal. Place your first step on your calendar. Terry and I frequently have a plan but also "make it up as we go." To me, that is part of the adventure of life! To keep moving forward, we adjust the plan as needed to reach the goal.

It is okay to rest.

It is okay to rest. In fact, it is Biblical and pleasing! God gave a perfect example of rest in Genesis after creating the world. He rested on the seventh day. Genesis 2:2 reads, "And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done." This is an example for you and me. Friends, no one can run on empty. Without rest, burnout will overtake. Problems always feel heavier and overwhelming when you are exhausted. Be reminded to give yourself permission to relax, sleep, and renew. There are new mercies every morning, giving new strength to fight the good fight. (Read Lamentations 3:22-23). Renew your physical strength by trusting the Lord's command of rest. Renew your life spiritually by waiting on the Lord. Do not run ahead of Him. It does not end well. Remember the story of Sarah? (Check out Genesis 16 for more.) Instead, just sit with the Lord. Be with Him. Spend time with Him. Listen to His words. Worship Him. Rest in Him.

Some seasons require small steps.

Many small steps repeated in the right direction also bring victory. Sometimes, it is okay to take baby steps. You may be in a season with many demands, such as caring for family. Perhaps you do not have the luxury of taking significant steps currently. Your health may prevent you from chasing hard after a calling. Remember, life is about seasons. This may be your season for small steps. If so, take the next small step and then repeat. I am learning that much of life is the repeated small steps of daily habits that move us to the God-given goals in our hearts. Take small steps if you need to, but don't quit. Even small steps are worth celebrating.

"If you quit, you never win."

I will not reach the victory line if I stop in the middle. It may be as simple as preaching to ourselves to stay the course. You may have heard the saying, "Winners never quit!" Remind yourself of this motivational statement. I believe it to be true! Honestly, I have wished many times that I had never quit specific goals in my life. Maybe you, too, have started the year with New Year's resolutions only to give up a few weeks in. Perhaps you want to read your Bible through in a year, only to stop in Leviticus. I encourage you to stay focused on your end result. Do. Not. Quit. If God has given you a dream to accomplish, keep believing in the calling.

I am happy to announce that the hike to the top of the mountain was accomplished with slow and steady steps! I rested along the way when my legs turned into noodles. I took small steps, but we did not quit. Once at the top, we soaked in the view and felt it was a beautiful trophy kind of day!

Friend, whatever you face in this life journey, let my mountain story encourage you. Take the first step, even if you can't see the whole staircase. Rest when you need to, take small steps when necessary, but never, never quit! Keep climbing because your beautiful trophy-kind of day is at the top of the next mountain!