There’s something about mountains that pulls at the soul. Maybe it’s their sheer size, the quiet stillness, or the way they make everything else feel small. Or maybe it’s something deeper—something unspoken but understood the second you step onto the trail.
I’ve felt it standing in Yosemite, at the top of Half Dome, after 6 hour midnight hike to the top to watch the sunrise. You’re met with a sense of awe at top overlooking the sun kissed valley, exhausted both from the lack of sleep and the physical feat you just achieved.
These places make you stop. They’re humbling. They ground you. And if you’ve ever stood on a mountain and felt something—almost like a pull—you know exactly what I mean.
Stillness & strength in the mountains
Mountains don’t rush. They stand firm while the world changes. Being up there slows time—or maybe we just notice how slow time really moves when we’re not filling it with distractions. Being free of distractions allow our minds to rest and feel the unforced rhythm of grace.
Mountains remind us how big the world is and how small we are. They put things in perspective. The stress, the worries, the constant noise—it all feels smaller in their presence.
If you’ve ever stood at the peak, you know the feeling. The air is thinner, the wind stronger, the world stretches far and wide. And for a moment, everything else disappears.
I felt this in Sedona, where the red rocks seem to hold a quiet energy. Standing among the red rocks, there’s this strange but undeniable energetic pull that is both calming and invigorating at the same time. I remember feeling deeply present and completely at peace with myself and the world around me. There’s a reason so many people are drawn there to reset, reflect, and just breathe.
God meets us on the mountain
Mountains have always been sacred places throughout the bible. Moses met God on Mount Sinai. Jesus was transfigured on a mountain. The Psalms tell us to lift our eyes to the hills for help.
Why? Because mountains are places where we meet God, literally and figuratively. Mountains are places of glory but also struggle. In each, God is in those moments, guiding us and carrying us.
📖 “They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion.” – Psalm 84:7
📖 “I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” – Psalm 121:1-2
Ways to connect with the mountains
You don’t have to climb Everest to feel the healing power of mountains. Just being near them changes something inside you. Here’s how:
🦶 Ground yourself barefoot – Take off your shoes and feel the earth beneath you. Let the cool soil, grass, or rock reconnect you to the land.
🏕 Spend time in the mountains – Drive out, take a weekend, and just be. No agenda. Just walk, breathe, and listen.
🥾 Go on a hike – Allowing yourself to explore in nature nurtures the inner child.
🌄 Watch a sunrise or sunset – Seeing the world bathed in golden light from above shifts your perspective.
🧘♂️ Sit in stillness – Close your eyes. Feel the wind on your skin, listen to the rustle of the leaves, and smell the earth around you.
🙏 Pray or meditate on a peak – People have sought God in the mountains for centuries. Try it. See what happens.
Final thoughts: The mountain calls
Life is a series of mountains. Some are breathtaking. Some are heartbreaking. All of them shape us.
Maybe you’re in a valley, staring up at something that feels too big. Or maybe you’re midway, exhausted, wondering why you even tried at all. Or maybe—just maybe—you’re standing at the top, looking at everything it took to get there, taking it all in with gratitude in your heart.
Wherever you are, you’re exactly where you need to be. The mountain calls, and when you answer, you’ll find more than just a view—you’ll find yourself.
🏔 What’s a mountain (literal or metaphorical) that has shaped you? Share below!
Written by Eva Chi
Photo by Johannes Andersson on Unsplash