I felt as if I had reached the top of the mountain. Everything seemed to be happening in my favor, and I felt as if the constant uphill season was finally behind me. I could feel the fresh breeze of victory as I reflected on the strenuous hike I had persevered through to make it to where I was. Every shifting stone, slippery mud puddle, and stubborn branch that had interfered with my path were left wallowing in misery beneath me. Ah yes. The mountain top was breath-taking, and the adrenaline I felt rushing through my veins was overwhelming.

I used to think reaching the top of the mountain after experiencing the valley meant life would be smooth sailing. I felt as if nothing and no one could reach me as the breeze of God’s favor carried me to the clouds.

 But in this particular season, I endured the hike uphill for purposes I was not prepared for. You see, when I reached the mountain top this time, violent winds, strong earthquakes, and forceful fires of opposition were waiting for me.

Betrayal, slander, and malicious intent began to swirl around me as I stood in confusion to what seemed to be a misunderstanding. Did I really endure trials and tribulations only to encounter more? And yet, the Lord reminded me of Elijah when he was called to the mountain.

The Lord said (to Elijah), “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind, there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. After the fire came a gentle whisper  (1 Kings 19:11-12).

I began to read more into this part of Elijah’s story. Before Elijah was called to the mountain to experience the presence of God, he was found hiding in a cave–scared for his life. The evil Queen Jezebel was out to destroy him because of Elijah’s faithfulness to God. In Elijah’s perspective, he was the only one left who was committed to God; thus,he felt it would be better if the Lord would take his life.

Here is Elijah–an incredible prophet–running from an army of people whose sole purpose was to kill him. He endured exhaustion, homelessness, starvation, and dehydration. He longed for relief as he called out for the Lord to end his life. 

Do you ever feel trapped in a season of life like Elijah did? And yet, God still invited Elijah into His presence in a profound and life-transforming way.

When I encounter seasons like these, I am usually clouded by my own sinful desires. I focus solely on the sacrifices I made to get where I am now. In other words, I am more consumed with the obstacles I had to overcome, the warfare I had to face, the resistance I had to endure, and the conflicts I had to encounter. It’s as if I had convinced myself I was entitled to an inward pity party when my mountain-top season is anything less than a glorious celebration of victory. In my mind, I deserved a season of favor and peace after persevering the hike to the top. But God doesn’t always bring me to the mountain top to gloat. Sometimes His presence is waiting to pass by, and it takes powerful winds, earthquakes, and fire to get my attention.

Each time we reach a season where life seems to be going our way, it doesn’t always mean we are free from present opposition. God wants to reveal His presence to us in every season, but He needs us to be faithful children in our journey through life. Part of being faithful is setting our minds on things above (and not on earthly things), and making ourselves available to the Holy Spirit’s teaching. Being faithful also means removing expectations and trusting God for the outcomes.  We have to be willing to say yes to where the Lord leads us, even if it means we will be met with the winds, earthquakes, and fires of opposition.

Life is full of valleys and mountains, and the storms of affliction can be found in both. We can either become discouraged, exhausted, bitter, or hopeless when we feel we are in a constant cycle of trials, or we can embrace the soft whisper of God when the storms pass over.

So, if you’re like me and have been faced with a strenuous hike out of the valley, don’t lose hope. There is a still, small voice waiting for you on the top of the mountain. He wants to show you His glory and invite you into His presence as He walks with you every step of the way.