Roy T. Bennett, the author of “The Light in the Heart” once remarked: “Every challenge you face today makes you stronger tomorrow. The challenge of life is intended to make you better, not bitter.” James 1:2-4 reminds us: “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
Amongst the many interpretations, the challenges of life have been defined as "The situation of being faced with something that needs great mental or physical effort in order to be done successfully and therefore tests a person's ability." It often begins in early life when children face the challenge of schooling.
Everyone faces challenges at certain times. It is part of our existence. It may be at our own instigation for something that we wish to achieve or accomplish, or perhaps a situation that presents itself to us, when we least expect it. 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 states: “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.”
It may include facing adversity at work, in our domestic or private lives. It is boundless and often strikes without warning. It is at times like these that we may need to seek the help of God through prayer. 2 Chronicles 20:17 confirms: “You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.’ Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the Lord will be with you.”
The enchantment of the dramatic and scenic beauty of Switzerland and its adjoining countries are home to some of the most famous alpine regions in the world. The highest summit in the Swiss Alps is reputed to be Monte Rosa with a recorded height of 4634 metres. Switzerland is considered as one of the prime locations for mountaineers to explore with an extensive range of mountains to choose from. Each has its own independent level of difficulty to challenge the most experienced climber.
For safety reasons, those who are relatively new to the sport, are usually advised to hire a guide with an in-depth knowledge of the area as some of the mountains can be quite demanding and foreboding to conquer. One of the most popular mountains for beginners is regarded as the “Bishorn” at a height of 4153 metres and located in the Pennine Alps of Switzerland and Italy.
There was once a good Christian man who had always loved Switzerland and usually took his annual winter holiday there every year. He adored anything relating to Switzerland. He had recently purchased a beautiful Swiss-made second-hand Alpa 35mm SLR Camera with an extra long leather strap. Of late, he had taken up the activity of mountaineering and found it to be both rewarding and exhilarating.
During the little experience that he had attained, he had gleaned much self-confidence in his own abilities. One particular day, when he was on holiday in the Swiss Alps, he decided to climb the Bishorn with the intention of an overnight stop at the Tracuit Hut.
Although this was going to be quite a singular challenge for his particular level of expertise, he, unfortunately, had the arrogance to believe that he didn't need a guide or feel the necessity to plan and perform any research for his anticipated climb.
On a chosen day, he packed up his climbing gear, placed the strap of his newly acquired camera over his shoulder and across his chest for safety and started the upward trek towards the summit. When he reached the midway point, he stopped and had some food that he had pre-packed in the hotel. He then looked over the mountain edge and admired the spectacular landscape that he could see before his eyes. He took several pictures of the magnificent views and thanked God for everything that he had, and for allowing him the opportunity of seeing the beautiful scenery from such a great height.
He carried on a bit further, more than he should have, and found that the sun was quickly setting about him. He realised that it would soon be dark. At that point, snow clouds and mist began to accumulate around him and it started to snow heavily. The ground became very slippery beneath his feet but, instead of stopping and resting until the following morning before continuing, he carried on, regardless of the danger, until he found that he could no longer see ahead of him and had become extremely wet and tired.
He began to feel uneasy, but still firmly believed that God would save him from any peril and so continued his ascent. A little further on, he became disorientated and confused, he then lost his footing and slipped over the edge. Luckily, as he fell, the camera strap caught on a jagged piece of rock overhanging the edge. It left him dangling in mid-air with his back to the slope, and little chance of climbing back to safety unaided.
He realised that if he attempted to move in any direction, the chances of the strap dislodging itself would be immense. He was helpless. Then, another thought troubled him: How long would the strap hold before snapping under the strain of his body weight? He began to pray to God for help. He pleaded for assistance in his plight. All he could think of was the impending and inevitable fall to his certain death, if he did not receive help soon. He consistently cried out loud for assistance, with all his might and strength, in the vain hope that someone might hear his pleas and come to his rescue.
After a while, in the silence and stillness of his loneliness, he heard voices close by. He cried out again: "Please help me." Suddenly, three mountaineers emerged from the mist and approached him, realised his difficulty, lowered a rope and pulled him up to the safety of the cliff edge. "God bless you." The grateful man stated: "Without your help, I would have certainly died."
Without God's guidance and help, there would surely have been a cataclysmic and premature death. Prayer and faith had saved him. Adversity strikes without warning from time to time. However, we need to remember that if we ask, God is there to help us through our difficult times. Joshua 1:9 confirms: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Amen.
