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“I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come?” Psalm 121:1 (ESV)

How do you face life’s challenges? If you’re like me when life gets hard it’s super easy to cast our gaze vertically zeroing in on our circumstances. Looking straight out in front of us and allowing all those preconceived scenarios to play out in our minds. And we all know where that will land us – paralyzed with fear, drowning in self pity and making all kinds of compromises. Why? Because overwhelmed never serves us well.

Wonder what would happen if instead of focusing out at the  challenge, we chose to gaze up? To lift our eyes off the obvious and intentionally view whatever we are facing with a mind set on God’s eternal purposes. To reflect upward and know that our God is ever present, and He is all knowing, fully aware of what we need, ready to rescue us from overwhelmed and reassure us of His goodness.

It’s a hard fought journey to resist gazing in a direction that sets us up for fear and being consumed with the challenge staring us in the face. However, it is the right choice to lift our eyes toward the One who sees, hears and knows all that we are facing.

If you think it’s totally impossible to pivot your gaze, then grab God’s word and read the amazing story of Stephen. Acts 6 introduces him as a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit. Stephen’s attributes were defined as full of grace, power and wisdom – just a little bit too much for the jealous religious leaders who sought to silence him. And when Stephen’s accusers became enraged, his gaze pivoted away from their impending threats and grinding teeth. As he lifted his eyes up toward heaven, he saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. Faced with complete opposition and impending stoning, Stephen glimpsed heaven – he didn’t run, he didn’t argue, he was intimidated – he simply lifted his gaze.

How I love the faith and boldness of Stephen. His courage and ability to face the hardest journey ever gives me strength to lift my gaze off my challenges. The grace he exhibited toward his accusers as they stoned him to death leaves me speechless. Jesus standing during Stephen’s persecution and hardest place ensures me that Jesus sees, hears and knows all that is touching my life.

So sweet friends, what challenge is staring us in the face? Do we have the courage and discipline to lift our eyes off our circumstances and gaze upward fully confident that God has us in the palm of His hands? Fear will fade, calm will flow, perspective will change when we release our hard journey for His eternal purposes – a focus that always serves us well.

“Father, You welcome us with open arms – ready to act on our behalf and reassure us of Your ever presence. Steady our gaze and help us to resist the urge to become overwhelmed by our circumstances.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life