It was late summer and the sky was cloudless. What a perfect day to climb Mount McLoughlin, a mountain in Southern Oregon I had always wanted to climb. Full of energy and determination, nothing was going to hinder my cousin and me from conquering it!

We set out carrying a lunch and a bottle of water, wearing light clothing—taking just what was needed and nothing more to weigh us down. The going was tough but invigorating. Every step brought us closer to the summit, until the sky was not just above us, but around and below us.

When we reached the top, it was magnificent. The view was terrific, but mostly I felt pride in my accomplishment. I felt in control. I was capable of anything!

Confidence to Concern

It was early evening when we gathered our empty backpacks and started downhill. By that time, fatigue had set in and I was exhausted, hungry, and getting cold. A chilly breeze whipped around us.

Two hours later, we grew concerned. It had been difficult finding the trail back down. The one we had chosen had dwindled away and we were left climbing over big boulders and down sandy ravines. We circled across the lower part of the mountain, but nothing looked familiar. Looking up, I saw the trees swaying as the wind roared fiercely. Above them, the sky was growing pink. The awful truth settled in: we were lost.

There was only one way we were going to find the trail– we had to climb the mountain again. The light was fading in the sky as we made a full turn and faced the mountain for the second time that day. The challenge was no greater than before, but the glory was gone.

The climb was painful—pulling myself up huge boulders, inching up the sandy stretches. My lungs ached from the chilly air and I desperately needed water. Fatigue and discouragement spread through me. I was frustrated that we had climbed down so far and alarmed at our slow progress up. The blackening sky was terrifying.

When we reached the timberline, the gusty wind nearly knocked us down. One blast felt like it carried a million slivers of ice. I moved mechanically upward, the moon lighting my way. My feet were slowing and my hands were losing their grip. I was so cold and weary that I often stumbled, but it was too cold to stop and rest.

My feelings of accomplishment and pride disappeared like the light in the sky above. In spite of my capabilities, my determination, and my strong will, I did not have control over the situation.

"Rich Man's Syndrome"

Many people in our culture say that religion is a state of mind. This belief is linked with the notion that the more human beings are in touch with each other and with the spiritual forces of nature, the stronger their power. I had questioned that philosophy, but I needed to prove it wrong for myself. On one hand, I saw that the stronger I believed in myself, the more I could accomplish. On the other hand, God had answered prayer for me and I knew there was power there.

On the mountain that night, with the freezing wind blowing around us, everything became crystal clear. I realized how small I am and how useless it is to rely on my own strength. I also realized that while I had believed in God, I had not been trusting Him completely in my life. Proverbs 3:6 says, “In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” So many times I had charged ahead in life, using my own logic, and figuring God would approve!

There on the mountain, stripped of all my self-reliance, I finally understood the truth: God wants control of every part of our lives. Jesus said that it is hard for a rich man to enter Heaven (Matthew 19:23). A rich man seems self-sufficient, with no particular need to trust God. He thinks he can supply every need himself; that every problem has a material solution.

I was shocked to realize that I had “rich man’s syndrome.” I was more comfortable relying on my earthly resources and assets than on God. Instead of God being my first resort, He was my last. Instead of seeking Him until I found direction in my life, I had mumbled quick prayers and gone on my way. Now we were lost and without a compass, map, or cell phone. We were nearing a state of hypothermia and I didn’t have a coat. I had no choice but to seek God until I found Him.

Power In My Last Resort

Finally, we sat down, panting, shivering violently. My head was spinning, and I was stunned with the danger we were in. But I found power in my last resort—God. In spite of my conditional reliance on Him, He was available when I finally realized that He was the One I needed to trust above all others.

Calling out to Him for help and guidance, I prayed that God would burden others to pray for us. I prayed with every ounce of strength that was left in me.

When we pray like that, God will always answer. I looked down at the ground next to me and saw a faint indication of a path running to the left. Before charging down it, I stood and asked God if we should take it. He put a definite answer in my heart that we should. We headed down the path, and it eventually led us to the trail—right to the only place on the trail that had a wooden post marker, so we knew it was the right trail.

God is faithful!  Since that mountain experience, I have relied heavily on Him, and He has not let me down. I have climbed many mountains of trouble in my life, but God has always been there, waiting for me to trust Him so that He can supply my every need.

Kimberly Joseph is a member of the Apostolic Faith Church in the Sacramento, California area.