Appalachian Trail
A Journey of Joy

The mountains were beautiful that day. My desire to hike to the top of Bald Mountain was stronger than my desire for safety: I went on the six-mile trek alone.

In my pocket was a Jesus Pocket Promise Book, and on my shoulder, a camera.

I had been up this path many times, but that day I decided to follow a different route to the Appalachian Trail, so I detoured left through the forest. Along the way I remembered that sometimes days went by without a single person hiking on this “detour”

Soon I realized that I was no longer climbing, but going downhill. In horror, I discovered that I had taken a wrong turn, and was too out of breath to climb back uphill. Returning to where I got lost seemed impossible.

Fear gripped my heart as I saw thousands of bees waiting to bite me if I decided to sit and rest. With my heart skipping beats, I stood for a moment wondering what to do. The thoughts in my head tried to convince me that if I walked uphill again I would have a heart attack and if I sat with the bees, they would sting me.

I paged through the bible verses as I rested on a rock. God told me to memorize Isaiah 41:10.

Do not fear for I am with you, do not look anxiously about you for I am your God. I will help you. Surely I will uphold you, surely I will lift you up with my righteous right hand.

So I spent some time in prayer and memorized that Bible verse. Peace and confidence overcame the fear. With the fresh ammunition (quoting the scripture) and the bad thoughts defeated, I trotted back uphill and out of the forest loudly proclaiming God’s word.

Someday if you find yourself surrounded with bees (or other threats) or  dangerous pathways, quote the Scriptures in the face of evil and fear, and enjoy your journey of joy.