I don’t climb mountains. However, I know mountain climbers often find themselves between a rock and a hard place. They climb in difficult areas. Often they have few good choices.

We may not climb physical mountains. Yet, most of us face mountains of difficulty sometime in our lives. We find ourselves between a rock and a hard place. We must make hard decisions with no easy choices. Any choice causes problems.

• Do we quit our job or work in unfair circumstances?
• Do we pay rent or buy food?
• Do we continue painful medical care or stop treatments?

We must choose what we decide is the lesser of two evils.

Aron Ralston faced such a choice after a climbing accident in 2003. He was trapped more than five days. His choice: Do I die or cut off part of my right arm. He used a dull knife to free himself.

Our choices may not be that hard. However, some choices are worse.

I wish I had an easy answer for such situations, but I don’t. I find the following helpful:

1. List the pros and cons for each choice.
2. Discuss the options with a trusted friend or relative.
3. Pray for wisdom.
4. Accept help from others.
5. Get a grip on what matters most.

I pray you face few times between a rock and a hard place.

“You have let me sink down deep in desperate problems. But you will bring me back to life again, up from the depths of the earth” (Psalm 71:20 TLB).

Have you had a rock and hard place experience?  If so, please comment.

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