For the past several months my kids and I have been going to a climbing gym once a week, and it’s been very rewarding to watch our growth – in our climbing technique, yes, but also in our courage and mental tenacity. Since having children, my husband and I don’t make it out to real rocks very often, so this has been an ideal opportunity to strengthen our family as individuals and as a unit. Today I’d like to share what I learned from trying a route that I thought was too hard for me.

A couple weeks ago while belaying one of my kids, I noticed a lady sending a route that I had wondered how people even start. It’s a stem climb with a few jugs and some awkward holds that require the perfect combination of technique, strength, flexibility, and grit. These are all areas in which I have plenty of room for growth, and that particular route wasn’t even on my radar.

While belaying my daughter, I’d occasionally peek over at the lady on the hard route. *Note: I am calling this *the hard route* instead of telling you the route’s rating and using that as identification. The lessons I learned from it do not hinge on the route’s rating. For some, a 5.7 is a huge feat, and for others a 5.11b is a warmup. My hope is that this post will encourage anyone pushing through something difficult, whether or not it’s a rock climbing project. For climbers, I hope this encourages you, whatever level you’re working on.*

I half-watched the lady on the hard route, in total awe, and didn’t even consider the route for myself. The next week I saw my belay friend who is often at the climbing gym when we are. She and I take turns belaying and cheering for each other. It had been a few weeks since we’d been there together, so we were happy to catch up and talk about what we’d been working on. She told me that she had climbed *the hard route*, and my jaw dropped. I congratulated her and offered to belay her so she could do it again (and so I could gather beta about how someone at my climbing level might accomplish the route).

I studied her moves and cheered her on the whole way. It was clear that the route would require buckets of sweat, determination, and maybe a couple Chris Sharma screams. Watching her I was thinking, “This is incredible. And so above my level. But she’s doing it!” This friend is more experienced than I am, but we do work on similar climbing projects, so if she could do it, maybe I could. Or maybe not.

Even as I lowered her after her climb, I hadn’t decided if I should try *the hard route*. I kept thinking that maybe I should keep working on some of the easier, more familiar routes I’d spent time on. But then I thought, “This is what we encourage our kids to do – to try hard things. This is exactly what we tell the kids we coach at summer camp – that the hard and scary things are what help us grow the most.”

I recognized that with a good belayer and gear like we and the gym use, the worst thing that could happen would be that I wouldn’t make it. Yet even then, there would be potential to gain strength and skill on a small part of the route. And with my belay friend there to give me beta, so soon after climbing when she could vividly coach me through, it was the best possible time to attempt the hard route.

I decided to give it a go, and something incredible happened: I flashed the hard route. Not 100% clean, but I made it! If not for feeling totally pumped in most of my muscles, I would have had a hard time believing that I made it up the very route I almost didn’t try.

I learned a few things from this that I want to share with you:

1. A good belayer and gear are like God and community. The belayer and quality gear allow us to try hard moves. We can lean on the rope for support and rest in the harness after a difficult part. When we fall, the gear holds us. We should build relationships with God and our family and friends everyday. If we wait until we “need God” and friends, we probably won’t have the support we need in a desperate situation. When we trust God in the little things, we learn that we can and should trust Him in everything. Regarding community, the amount of climbing skill that is gained from simply watching other climbers is remarkable. Iron sharpens iron, so it’s important to surround ourselves with faithful people who help us grow spiritually.
2. With good beta and with God, we can go higher and do more than we ever could alone. When I saw a daunting wall with few and difficult hand- and footholds, my belayer said, “Smear your right foot and undercling with both hands,” or “Mantel over this and get your left toe on the hold, and then take a rest.” With her guidance, I made it so much higher than I could have alone. With God, we can do more than we can imagine. When we follow God’s way of life, He opens the doors to opportunities that give our life immeasurable meaning.
3. Consistency and (even a small) commitment can lead to great gains. This applies to musical ability, reading through a big book, Bible study, house cleaning, writing and editing, memorizing anything, fitness, or working on a climbing project. When we dedicate time and effort, we will see growth. Sometimes it will be impressive, like unexpectedly being able to flash a difficult climb, and other times it might not be noticeable to others but is still an accomplishment, like finally getting one inch higher. This concept of consistency and commitment will help us grow in every area of life.

Whether you’re summoning the courage to draft your first blog post, start a workout routine, plan a community fundraiser, learn an instrument, finish a painting, audition for the part, start the curriculum, or apply for the job, I hope this encourages you to try. Build solid relationships with God and family and friends, follow trustworthy guidance, and work consistently toward your goals. For my fellow climbers, whether you’re facing your first 5.6 or a 5.14d+, I hope you have the courage to try *the hard route*.