The best things in life often come through hard-fought battles. It is in the striving, the pressing forward, and the perseverance that we discover the most beautiful rewards. Though the journey may be difficult, what awaits on the other side of hardship is often beyond what we could have imagined.
I have experienced this many times, but one such moment in particular remains etched in my heart. On a trip through Banff, Alberta, curiosity—and perhaps a little fear of missing out—drew my partner and me to a crowded trailhead where cars lined the roadside. Unsure of what awaited us at the top, we began the climb.
It wasn’t long before the ascent tested me. My breath grew short, my legs heavy, and complaints slipped out between gasps. I muttered that I didn’t need to see whatever view was up there. Yet, with whispered prayers of “Lord, help me” and my partner’s steadying hand tucked in my belt loop, I pressed on.
When we finally reached the summit, the crowd obscured our view. But as people shifted, space opened, and suddenly, before me stretched a sight so magnificent my knees went weak. The grandeur of God’s creation spilled out across the horizon, a beauty so overwhelming it nearly moved me to tears. In that moment, awe and gratitude washed over me.
The climb had been grueling, every step a struggle. But the view—oh, the view—was worth every breath. And I realized: had I given up halfway, I would have missed one of the most breathtaking experiences of my life.
Life is much the same. The greatest joys and blessings are often found only on the other side of hardship. With perseverance, faith, and reliance on God, we catch glimpses of His magnificence, both in creation and in our journey.
As Scripture reminds us: “Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9).
Every good thing is on the other side of hard. Don’t give up—because He never gives up on you.
