Misery vs. Mountaintop

Is your life an existence of endless misery? By misery, I mean are you distressed, heartbroken, anxious, gloomy, dejected, and even despairing. How often are you disappointed by your relationships or your entire life? And do you wonder how you can break out of such a terrible existence? Today we will look at how you can be set free from a life of misery and begin to live on the mountaintop of joy and peace.

Maybe your mindset has held you captive for years. Though you seem to do all the right things, go to church, volunteer, and work-work-work YET you still are not joyful—definitely ARE discontented, and often you're lonely even though you are around a lot of people. Why?  Because you are still living a life that is performance-based.  My friend, living like this will leave you exhausted, lonely, and in distress.

Misery can meet us in many different ways throughout life. Sometimes our choices lead us to participate in a sinful lifestyle or we experience the results of others' sins as they affect our lives.  At any rate the Bible tells us that as Christians we will certainly endure hardships and trials throughout our lives for one reason or another.

Do you often willingly (yet wrongly) accept choices that others make that affect you, and hinder and rob you of living on the mountaintop?  Sometimes right in the midst of our sorrow and suffering, God greets us in a new and different way and provides a way out!

Think About the Experiences of Job in the Bible. . .

Do you remember the story? Consider all his misery and the things he suffered. The Bible says he was a righteous man who received unwise counsel from his friends. In our lives how easy is it for us to look to our friends for advice instead of to God Himself. Consider Job’s response at the end of everything he went through. We read about it in Job 42:5-6

“I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You. Therefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.”

Look at Job’s response. In the midst of his great suffering: “But now my eyes see You.”  This is a powerful verse, for no longer did Job consider what was around him.  No! At this very moment he fixed his gaze upon God Almighty, and he saw Him for who He is!

Jehovah—Jireh — Our Provider: Genesis 22:13—14

Jehovah—Rophe — Our Healer: Exodus 15:26

Jehovah—Nissi — Our Victory: Exodus 17:15

Jehovah—Shalom — Our Peace: Judges 6:24

Jehovah—Rohi — Our Shepherd: Psalms 23:1

Jehovah—Tsidkenu — Our Righteousness: Jeremiah 23:5—6

Jehovah—Shammah — He Is Present Here: Ezekiel 48:35

Ask yourself this question, Are you viewing life through a “feelings—based viewpoint” or have you chosen to  put on the “spiritual lenses” of God’s world? 

What Is Your Pattern of Living?. . .  

Who do you turn to in your misery? People, places, or things to numb those feelings and take to you to a “temporary mountaintop?” 

When we base our lives on our feelings and act out of that place, what do we receive in return? Emptiness, loneliness, frustration, anxiety, rejection, turmoil, anger, and fear.

Consider These Scripture Verses . . .

 “...live your lives in reverent fear during your temporary stay on earth. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way ofvlife you inherited from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot” ~~ 1 Peter 1:17a—19 (BSB).

What is the Bible telling us? What does this scripture say to you? Do you believe that you can go from misery to mountaintop and have joy in the midst of your suffering, no matter the circumstance, the sorrow, or the suffering?

Take a moment and think about a time when the greatest sin invaded your life, either by your own choosing or by that of someone you loved. How did you respond? Out of fear? Or disappointment? Out of anger?

Maybe you responded based on “an experience” that happened many years ago and all of a sudden an external circumstance triggered an unpleasant memory. All of a sudden you found yourself not only emotional but also experiencing a “flight or fight” syndrome where your body physically reacted because of the external circumstance.

How Will You Respond?. . .

Will you choose the world's way OR will you choose  God’s pattern of living as Job did?  Here are seven ways that can take us on a path to mountaintop living:

First, we as believers must renew our minds. We read about this in  Romans 12:2 and 1 Timothy 4:7. Allow the Lord to renew your thoughts, desires, and emotions. The Apostle Paul instructed Timothy (and us) to “Train yourself for the purpose of Godliness.”

Second, replace your sorrow and suffering with His truth and His peace. It is not just about managing our emotions. It is an exchange. We roll over onto Christ all our woes, disappointment, and the cares of life. 1 Peter 5:7 reads: “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

Third, “Put aside the old self and put on the new life in Christ.”  We find this in Ephesians 4:22, 24.

Fourth, “Lay aside falsehood,” according to Ephesians 4:25, and instead “let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor.”

Fifth, “Let him who steals steal no longer.” Ephesians 4: 28. Rather   “Let him labor that he may share with those in need.”

Sixth, “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you.” Ephesians 4:31. Instead, and put on kindness: “And be kind, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ has forgiven you.”  Ephesians 4:32.

And finally, “...be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord” ~~ Ephesians 5:18—19 (NIV).

Consider who you are serving: Your feelings or God’s truth?

Will You Join Me and Seek Him First?. . .

What a difference this will make in your life! As you consider your choices and choose to follow after the Lord's will and way you are empowered of the Lord to move from misery to mountaintop living!

Pray With Me. . .

Father, I know that suffering and sorrow is only temporary, for “light is my affliction.”  Lord, I desire to gain a true knowledge of Who You are for me. God, I want to know You and see You with my spiritual eyes. Father, my deepest prayer is that You press out the misery and give me strength to “lean not on my own understanding, but to acknowledge You,”  Father in everything I say and do. Father, keep my eyes on the horizon, on what is ahead, and remind me daily that I am only passing through, and that one day I will be with You eternally.

In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Additional Scripture Passages for Study . . .

"No temptation has overtaken you expect what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it" ~~ 1 Corinthians 10:13.

"I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world!" ~~ John 16:33.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God”~~ Philippians 4:6-7.

"Therefore put on the full armor of God so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything to stand" ~~ Ephesians 6:13.

"Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him" ~~ James 1:12.

"For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit" ~~ 1 Peter 3:18.

"Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad" ~~ Proverbs 12:25.

~ Elizabeth Bowman