Do you long to live on a mountaintop? Like many other people, this was my dream. Mountaintop living consumed my thoughts as my husband and I searched for the perfect home. In my mind, this goal made absolute sense. If I left behind the busyness and booming growth of my birthplace, then I could find the peace and tranquility to write. Reaching the mountaintop, would accomplish this goal and offer me the respite I desired.
When we moved last year to East Tennessee from the flat lands of Indiana, I thought my dream had come true. The grandeur of the Appalachians spread out before me. All I needed to do was step from my front porch to enjoy it. But then came the reality check. The busyness of my previous life didn’t stay in Indiana. I brought it with me. Instead of simply purchasing a mountaintop home, we chose to buy a small farm. Now, we had to deal with all the issues inherent to this type of property. This mountaintop experience was not the respite I dreamed it would be.
If I’m honest, I fell into the trap of what psychologists call the arrival fallacy. This is the false belief that if I achieved a certain goal then this accomplishment would give me the happiness I desire. Goals vary by the person and their season in life, but the end result is the same. If I . . . get invited to the dance, graduate from college, land the job promotion, save a million dollars . . . then I will know I’ve reached the mountaintop. You fill in your dream goal.
The fallacy in this thinking doesn’t lie in the merit of the life goal. Many dreams and aspirations are quite admirable. No, the fallacy comes when we attach happiness to the achievement of our goal. After reaching the mountaintop, sometimes we find the exact opposite. Instead of happiness, we find disappointment and a sense of confusion. What am I do now?
The prophet Elijah experienced similar emotions after his dramatic defeat of the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. (Read 1 Kings18:16-19:18). After this miraculous victory, we expect Elijah to celebrate. But instead, he flees from the threats of Queen Jezebel and hides in the wilderness. The scriptures say, “Elijah was afraid and ran for his life.” 1 Kings 18:3. The power of God lifted Elijah’s spirit one moment, then depression and fear plagued him the next. God’s compassion and care of Elijah during this time in his life, can teach us how to respond in similar circumstances. The passage of scripture tells us three ways to overcome the false expectations of the arrival fallacy.
Recover
After a difficult achievement, allow yourself to recover. Don’t attempt to barrel on ahead into your next goal right away. Simply rest. When Elijah left Mt. Carmel after defeating 500 prophets of Baal, he was tired and spent. He didn’t have the energy to fight Queen Jezebel too. So, God sent angels to minister to him in the wilderness. They offered Elijah food and encouraged him to sleep. By temporarily stepping away from the challenges before him, Elijah allowed himself to recover. Only then was Elijah able to confront Jezebel with newfound vitality.
Reconnect
Upon reaching your mountaintop, make sure to reconnect with those who helped you on your journey. Don’t forget the ones who support you behind the scenes. After Elijah’s recovery, he traveled to Mt. Horeb, the site where God gave Moses the Ten Commandments. There Elijah met with God as He spoke in a still, small voice and reassured him of His everlasting presence. Elijah reconnected with the One who gave him the power to fight against the evil Queen Jezebel and the prophets of Baal.
Remember
When standing on your mountaintop, remember your “Why.” If you’re a believer in Jesus, the mountaintop is not your final destination. It’s only a brief stopping point in your life’s journey. As Elijah reconnected with God on Mt. Horeb, he was reminded of why he fought the prophets of Baal. The victory was not for his own benefit but to bring glory to God. The opportunity to spend time writing on the mountaintop is not simply for my advancement. If I’m able to point others to Jesus with my stories, then I’ve accomplished a piece of my overarching life goal.
So, after reaching the mountaintop, when you’ve achieved a significant dream in your life, don’t fall into the trap of the arrival fallacy. Allow yourself to recover, reconnect, and remember. Happiness is not found on the mountaintop. But joy comes in the journey as you walk with the Lord, the One who helps you overcome all the obstacles along the way.
