The Upward Trail

II Timothy 1:7 says, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

As a four-year-old little boy, I learned the meaning of an upward trail. Dad took Mom and I on a hike to a small mountain lake outside of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. We passed by two little bear cubs not far off of the trail. We were on the look-out for mama. After getting to the lake we had a picnic lunch. From there, Dad wanted to climb up a steep slope on the other side of the lake. The trail became steep enough to require climbing instead of walking. Dad put me on his back and told me to hang on. That was alright at first, then the trail got really steep. I felt like I couldn’t hold on much longer. “Put your arms around my neck,” Dad said. I quit looking back in fear and clung to Dad. We made it! I’m here.

As we face a new year, we can choose the path we are going to take. We cannot control the circumstances. I heard the other day that our governor is about to raise the gasoline tax 40 cents a gallon. I don’t know if he can do that alone. I imagine it will happen. The whole country is in a mess. What will happen next? 

Walking through this land, I can still choose the trail I will walk in. We can choose to walk in fear, or in power and love with a sound mind. The downward trail is the pathway of fear. This is not God’s trail. It is so easy to slip down this trail not realizing that we are getting farther from God every step. Self-pity sets in. Soon we are blind to even the good things that are around us. We want a perfect walk, but we despair of that happening. The weather never suits us. No one can please us. We start hating ourselves. The demons join us in our walk. They know we are on the trail that will end in death. They love to company with us. They make sure that we are unaware of their presence.

This is a very real danger for me, and for you too. Even a few steps down this path can choke our relationship with the Lord. “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” (Matthew 7:13&14)

Praise God! We can choose the upward trail. This choice does not happen just once a year as we resolve to do better. This choice is ours—every moment, every hour, every day. When we find ourselves fearing, it is time to wrap our arms around Jesus and hold on tight. We must do it. The only way out of this dilemma is to get into Jesus and walk after the Spirit (Romans 8:1). 

The Holy Spirit is on the upward trail and calls us to walk with Him. He’s the one who gives us the power, the love, and the sound mind. Our friends can’t do it. We cannot determine it. Even though there be only few that find it, I want to be one of those “few.”

If you are not sure what path you are on, look around you. Do you see many or few? Driving on a rural road I saw a man on a bicycle. A mile later, I saw a few more riders. Finally, I realized that they were an organized group. The last rider was a mile behind the rest. He was enjoying the trip. He would arrive at last. He was on the right trail. 

Let’s go for the upward trail. Bye bye, fear!