When You Have Mountains to Move

Stress eating has started to make its mark on my body. I knew better. I did. But that industrial-size bag of M&Ms that my loving little brother brought by to give me a smile was too easy to turn to each time I became frustrated and overwhelmed. And now I have some work to do.

​In 1 Chronicles, David made preparation for God's Temple to be built by his son, Solomon. The instructions that David gave to Solomon touched my weary heart. What David said to Solomon is what we all need to hear about doing any long-term job that will be difficult and trying. From dieting, changing our attitude toward an acquaintance or spouse, or creating habits that will improve our physical or emotional life, David's instructions to Solomon struck a chord that resonated deep within me.

1 Chronicles 28:20
David also said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the Lord is finished.

​Be strong and courageous and do the work. Do the work.

​There are many goals in our lives that are not going to come easy, but we cannot become discouraged or live in fear. I think of the goals I have for Adela and Micaela to be the best possible women of God they can be. I think of my marriage and my goal for it to always be strong and full of love. I think of my writing and dream to touch lives and encourage others. All these goals I cannot give up, set aside, or allow to be stolen by fear. And this latest goal of mine, to fight my way back to a healthier living style, I will not fail because I simply would not do the work.

​It took Solomon twenty years to build the temple of the Lord. Two entire decades. He might not have pounded stone, drug logs, or crafted furniture with his own hands, but the work was still hard for him. For twenty years he was in charge of the painstaking care of making sure the temple was built to the exact specifications  that God requested. He had to manage labor, materials, and money to make sure it was completed. And he had to do it while also taking care of all the other duties of being a king. It was a difficult job. But Solomon did not become discouraged or afraid. He did the work.

We all have work given to us by God. Some of us must build up corporations, serve meals to the poor, work to feed our families, fight cancer, encourage the imprisoned, care for crops, and countless other positions of work assigned to our lives. God doesn't give easy tasks to His children. He gives us mountain-moving goals and dreams. Why? Because He doesn't ask us to do it alone. He will never fail or forsake us.

Whatever you are working towards today, take heart. Be strong and courageous and do the work.

Consider now, for the Lord has chosen you to build a house as the sanctuary. Be strong and do the work.”
​1 Chronicles 28:10