James 1:2-4 (NIV), “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

God will reward those who stay faithful in trials. He shows you wonderful things that not everyone will get to experience. Let me encourage you to not give half your heart and still expect to get where you want to go. Samuel 22:34 says, He sets me securely on the heights. This gives me all the confidence I need to endure the journey.

What if the mountaintop isn’t what we think it is. We think it’s the highlights in our lives, the achievements. But what if it is the hardest days we will ever experience, possibly the worst, and yet the place we still strive for?

My climb up Mt. Kilimanjaro in January, 2020, reset my mind and my priorities. There was this place in my heart where I was so ready to strip away everything that I was, everything that was important to me and be physical, mentally and emotionally desperate for God. I prepared but I also felt like I was going into the climb completely blindly, which I realize is a complete paradox. I’m learning that things don’t have to make sense for me to exhibit trust.

But here’s what I know to my core…the mountain in front of me is never bigger than the God inside of me. Psalm 62:11 says, “God said to me once and for all, all the strength and power you need flows from me.” And I not only believed Him, but I’ve made Him prove. And He has never failed me.

I learned that God’s goodness and glory doesn’t come without experiencing trials, discomfort and having to build your endurance. Through the trials, He shows you wonderful things that not everyone will get to experience.

God will take you on a journey like none other, and show you things and let you know Him intimately.

Follow the journey I took and let me be your mountain guide. You can take the short route and just go through the video series, or if you’re ready to dive deep and do the soul work to find the glory of God in the midst of your trial (or to be fully armored up for when the trial hits), you can take the scenic route up the mountain and do the book, along with the videos. The book gives room to journal as you go, so you remember everything God is showing you. It also gives you the battle cried I used through the tough climb up Kilimanjaro but also what I used during the hardest season of my life. Or, start with the videos and decide if you’re ready to jump in all the way with the book.

I will give you the fighting tools to go after all God has for you despite your circumstances and you’ll realize you’re loved more than you could have ever imagined. My prayer is that you’ll love the journey, and fall completely in love with your Creator in the process.