Joy Wasted with KB Dickey

Whew. Let’s talk about that uphill climb. You know the one—where every step feels like your legs are made of concrete and the peak looks like it’s playing hide-and-seek behind the clouds. That’s what life feels like sometimes. Especially now, when the world feels heavy, uncertain, and chaotic. It’s like we’re all trying to climb this big, jagged mountain with no clear map, just grit, grace, and a whole lot of prayer.

Now, I’m not talking about a scenic hike with a backpack full of snacks and the perfect playlist. Nah, this is the rough side of the mountain. The side where your shoes slip, your hands bleed from grabbing on to sharp rocks, and the wind tries to push you back down every time you catch a little momentum. It’s not pretty, it’s not smooth, and it definitely ain’t easy. But it’s real.

These turbulent times? They feel the same way. News headlines that leave your chest tight. Economic shifts that hit your pockets a little harder than expected. Personal losses that still leave an ache in your spirit. Political mess. Social unrest. A world that often feels like it’s spiraling more than it’s spinning.

But let me tell you something about that rough side—it builds character. It builds calluses and courage. It forces you to get creative, to pray harder, and to trust deeper. When the world is shaking, the rough side teaches you how to find your footing even if it’s just one inch at a time.

You may not be moving fast, but baby, you’re still moving. And that counts.

See, smooth paths don’t teach you how to fight for your peace. They don’t show you how to keep showing up when the applause is gone, or how to pivot when your plan goes up in smoke. That kind of strength—mountain strength—is only built on the rugged terrain of adversity.

So if you’re climbing right now and the world feels like it’s crumbling underneath you, take heart. You’re not weak—you’re weathered. You’ve got that survivor’s grit. And when you make it to the top—and yes, you will—you’ll realize that every slip, stumble, and tear wasn’t wasted. It made you wiser. It made you stronger. It made you you.

Let’s not romanticize the pain, but let’s not ignore its purpose either. God never promised a paved path, but He did promise to walk with us every step of the way. Even on the rough side. Especially on the rough side.

So keep climbing. Keep believing. Keep adjusting your crown even when it’s slipping. These turbulent times may shake you, but they don’t have the power to stop you—unless you let them.

And let’s be clear: we’re not just climbing for ourselves. We’re climbing so someone else watching from below knows it can be done.

We’re coming up the rough side, but baby—we’re still coming up.

Stay Ford Tough Joy Junkies