Unfortunately, not one of us is guaranteed a life without suffering in one form or another.Okay, you’re thinking, Then I guess there will be times that I have to suffer. But you don't understand what I'm enduring. I can't take this much longer!
I believe that our focus completely influences our response to every form of affliction. I'd like to demonstrate this notion with a mini attitude experiment, if you're willing to participate. Just take a moment and think of the most wretched circumstance in your life. Close your eyes and completely focus on that situation for a solid minute.
Go ahead, I’ll wait.
Finished? Now, don’t you feel miserable?
Next, grab hold of your chin and force your head and eyes up. Shift your focus! Psalm 121:1 says “I lift up my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from?”
Does our help come from psychoanalyzing, focusing on the problem and stressing out as we attempt to figure out why things are the way they are? This may be the world’s way of doing things, but as believers we must choose to trust God. We must establish and know in our hearts that our help comes from the Lord.
Then we’ll be able to proclaim “My help comes from the Lord, Maker of heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:2)
Think about a time you wanted your child’s undivided attention. You probably crouched down to their level, scooped their little face in your hands, looked directly into their eyes and spoke the words they needed to hear. In the same manner, we must allow God to get right into our face; we need to make intimate eye contact with the Lord. We can’t afford to allow our focus to move to the right or to the left.
As we focus on the One who loves us most, we will hear God’s voice speaking words of life, hope and encouragement to us.
This doesn’t mean we are to utterly ignore our problems. God does not advocate a head-in-the-sand position. Issues still have to be dealt with, and as we ask, God promises He will give us wisdom. (See James 1:5)
Regardless of the circumstances, God should always remain our focus. This is the secret to peace in the midst of every storm.
Isaiah 26:3 says “You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You and hopes confidently in you.”
When our focus shifts from the overwhelming circumstances to the One who loves us overwhelmingly, our peace and stability cannot be shaken.
Today’s question: Are you willing to ask God to help you shift your focus away from your circumstances and onto Him?
Next week: I don’t get it. What’s the point of suffering?
15 comments:
This is good, Julie!! I've been doing "Experiencing God" this summer and I've been reading about this topic this week.
When we're in a bad circumstance, the author talks about how we need to look at Truth (Jesus) and not our circumstance. Then He will allow us to see it from His persective (in time). He uses the example of Moses and how when Moses first asked Pharaoh to let the Israelites go, Pharaoh made them work that must harder and was even crueler to them. But God knew that He had a plan for their deliverance. It WAS coming!
The difficulties brought more glory to God and heightened their awareness of their need for a Deliverer.
If we let it, hardships can bring us to a deeper encounter with God. I'm not saying this because everything is going great with me right now. You know it's not. And I'm not saying it's easy. But it has helped to see His long-term perspective to my trials.
Great series, Julie!
I think you are writing these posts for me:)) Thank you!
Great words!! Our sermon this morning was all about our perception of persecution and the role suffering plays in God's will. Very good and your words follow it up well - our focus must always be Him.
So good, Julie. Thanks for sharing this today.
It's like our gaze is super glued to our circumstances. I find it nearly impossible to rip my gaze off the hardship and focus my eyes back on the Lord! But you're so right! We need that intimate eye contact with the Lord.
I handed over a 'situation' today. I am listening for His wisdom. Isaiah 26:3 is a favorite verse of mine. I've shifted! My eyes are on the Lord. I will not be distracted by my circumstances. God is good! B
I've been studying this for the past couple of weeks. I even listened to a sermon this morning with this some concept. Our God is able and more than enough!
Praise HIM!
Wow! You just took one of the verses I use constantly, and for which I'm presently working to memorize the whole passage (Isaiah 26:1-10), and gave me a whole new perspective: Looking God in the eye without distraction.
Wonderful! Thank you.
I love the Psalm 121 verses. Praise you in the storm is a favorite song of mine, and this post reminded me of that too.
"My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth"... Wow -- what could be bettr?!
Way to be a woman of God who helps shift the focus! You go girl!
Hi Julie,
Your article reminds of a verse from Proverbs 4.
"Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you."
Difficult. Because we tend to focus on our circumstances instead of focusing on Christ.
I definately have some work to do on focusing.
Thanks for the encouragement.
Julie, I've got to bookmark this! Thank you so much for the reminder :-)
Yup! I have so done that with the kids.. "No, look at me in the eyes..." then talk to them.
The focus. That is what I always need to remember. Focus on God, and let Him be the one who works through me, in and through every situation and trouble!
Thank you!
Heather
Love the eye contact. I just posted on this verse this week. Yes, taking our eyes off the overwhelming to become overwhelmed with his love makes all the difference.
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