Looking to the hills

There’s a saying that “whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”. (Apparently Friedrich Nietzsche said it before Kelly Clarkson did!) I understand the sentiment - that going through adversity can develop resilience and perseverance. That painful experiences can ultimately equip us better to deal with challenges in the future. But it is sometimes overused - one of those things that is said, albeit usually in a well meaning way, as a deep pearl of wisdom. In reality, I’m not sure it always holds true. 

Sometimes, painful experiences be they physical, mental, emotional or maybe all three can be debilitating - at least in the moment. In the midst of trouble, the future promise of increased resilience in years to come doesn’t always cut it. Can I swap some of that future strength for just feeling better right now please?!

Thankfully we have a God who doesn’t just leave us to cope with whatever life throws at us. In fact He promises us hope and a future, plans not to harm us to but to prosper us.

However, it can be difficult to know, or perhaps remember, where to look for our strength and hope when faced with difficult situations. Sometimes we attempt to rely on our own strength to get us through. Or we look for others to solve our problems for us.

One of my favourite Psalms is psalm 121. It’s a well-known one, that begins:

“I lift up my eyes to the mountains – where does my help come from?”

It’s easy to imagine the writer walking through an idyllic mountain  landscape, looking at majestic scenery and being inspired in their faith. I suspect the reality was quite different – probably more someone trapped in the midst of a battle in the valley, scanning the horizon desperate for a glimpse of the relieving army marching over the mountain pass. Most of us have probably had situations where we’ve felt this way – looking desperately around for someone, anyone, to get us out of the situation!

Of course, Psalm 121 goes on to say:

“My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”

It isn’t other people or our own strength that we need to have faith in ultimately – but a creator God who has our very best interests at heart. This doesn’t mean a life free of trouble for those that believe – far from it. But it does mean we can trust God’s promises to watch over our lives, to nurture us, and walk with us through whatever we face. God can use any situation for good, if we trust Him – and resolutions to difficult situations can end up bringing about positive things that we could never have imagined. God doesn’t waste anything!

So maybe, Kelly Clarkson was sort of right after all! Although it’s not about us getting ‘stronger’ by overcoming difficulty – but rather looking for and trusting in God for the help we need.

Psalm 121

1

I lift up my eyes to the mountains –    

where does my help come from?

2 

My help comes from the Lord,   

the Maker of heaven and earth.

3 

He will not let your foot slip –    

he who watches over you will not slumber;

4 

indeed, he who watches over Israel    

will neither slumber nor sleep.

5 

The Lord watches over you –    

the Lord is your shade at your right hand;

6 

the sun will not harm you by day,    

nor the moon by night.

7 

The Lord will keep you from all harm –   

he will watch over your life;

8 

the Lord will watch over your coming and going    

both now and for evermore.