What is a hard that you love? And a hard that you don't?

 What is the hard that you love? Something that is difficult and requires intensity yet you get pleasure out of it. For me, this is climbing hills whether on a bike, hike, or run. There is something about digging into the hard climb with heart pumping, getting to the top and enjoying those few moments of relief as you realize you made it! 

An example of this is climbing through Buckhorn Canyon west of Fort Collins, Colorado. There are two significant climbs that are 12% grade with an almost constant climb in between them. From Ft. Collins to Masonville, it's about 10 miles then about 13 more to Prairie Stove School. Then, after a nice break, a 1 mile 12% grade intense climb up the Old Ford Wall. It's called this as it used to be gravel and old Ford cars had to drive up backwards as the gas getting to the engine was a problem. When at the top, there is a 13 mile ride down Rist Canyon that is super fun! The three first S-curves are a bit tricky so going slow around them is wise. 

This is looking back out toward Stove Prairie where I came from. 

This is looking towards the Old Ford Hill. If you can zoom in, you will see the first part of the steep climb. Stove Prairie is to the right of this photo.

Here is the top of the Old Ford Hill! It usually takes me about 20 minutes to climb. I feel really good when I get to the top of this! 

What is something hard in your life that you don't enjoy? Or a season in your life that was particularly difficult to walk through? Perhaps losing a loved one, losing a job, entering a new season of life. I feel like I could make a really long list here. Suffering seems to abound in our lives. If we aren't currently suffering, we probably walked through something somewhat recently or something is on the horizon. 

For me, it's support raising. I get anxious, worried if people will continue to support me, stressed when I get that email that someone is no longer supporting me, and the list can go on. I have to continually remind myself that God is in charge of my support. While I can contact people and ask to share, I can't make them listen to me. ;) When I have opportunities to share with people, I don't have control where God is leading them to give of their resources. I have to simply trust that He has a plan and I can trust His plan! And to remind myself of all the ways He is taking care of me! He IS providing for my needs in countless ways and will continue to do so! 

I have been reading in 1 Peter lately. Peter talks about suffering and says that we should not be surprised at it when it comes. More specifically, he says "do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed." (1 Peter 4:12-13) I know that my suffering (at least at this moment) does not compare to what the 1st century Christians faced. I am not facing death or persecution to the extent of our brothers and sisters in other countries are facing right now because of their faith in Christ. *This should be a reminder to pray for our brothers and sisters in the church! 

I easily get caught up by my worries and get anxious over things I can't control. "Taking every thought captive" in my mind means that when I get stuck in these places or worry and doubt and fear, that I stop and pray and leave these burdens at the feet of Christ. (Remember Stop-Drop-and-Roll? Think instead: Stop-Pray-and-Lift) Even if I need to stop several times a day to pray over different situations, I am announcing that Christ is in control and that I am proactively letting go (again) of my worries and fears and leaving them at His feet. 

I have been doing this as well in relationships with friends and loved ones. When I hear of the burdens many of you are carrying; sickness, financial struggles, rifts in relationships whether in a friendship or family, prodigal children, and more. I write down these prayer requests on small cards and have been praying over them. It is such a pleasure to pray for others. Hard, not always fun, BUT when I hear how God is moving in someone's life to lift some of these burdens and/or to bring hope and courage in the midst of the hard, I am SO encouraged to keep praying! I think this could loop back to my cycling up a steep climb! It's so hard and intense but when I get to the top, I feel an imense relief! I made it! 

I think the same could be said for the trials in our lives. They are hard! And intense! We worry, strain, cry, doubt, fear, so many emotions. And yet, when we invite Christ in to walk with us through the hard stuff, even if we don't make it all the way to the top of the climb or hard thing, we will look back one day and see (maybe just a glimpse on this side of heaven) how Christ was there for us to encourage and support us through the journey. He is faithful. He is good. He can be trusted. Even in the hard. :)