Our journey to the Kingdom of God is not easy, requiring the same kind of physical and mental stamina that climbers need when attempting to climb Mount Everest, a dangerous trek in which the human body must survive hurricane force winds, hypothermia, and the disorientation of mountain sickness caused by depleted oxygen. Even though the physical obstacles are formidable, the need for mental stamina is the far greater concern. In our spiritual journey, we are required to build mental stamina, counting the cost, enduring daily tests, overcoming self-sufficiency and pride, praying persistently without losing heart as vigorously as the importunate widow, trusting Our Heavenly Father and Our Savior Jesus Christ. We need to establish an iron-clad relationship with God, realizing the Father loves us as much as He loved Jesus Christ (even though we may not be very lovable presently) and that whatever we experience in our lives is going to be for our ultimate good, something Satan wants us to doubt. When doubt assails us, we need to drop to our knees, asking God to fill us with insight and profound knowledge of His immense love for us (Luke 11:28, Ephesians 3:16-19). As we approach the summit of our spiritual journey, we must pursue the struggle with dogged determination to push on toward the goal, walking by faith as had our father Abraham (rather than his nephew Lot) never looking back longingly to Sodom, as Lot's wife had tragically done, providing a permanent warning to move forward, not getting pulled into the world's satanic system. God is faithful to complete the work He has started when He called us.