“Finally brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue, and if there is anything praiseworthy – meditate on these things.” Philippians 4:8

Lift Up Your Eyes

It is said that the devil is like a roaring lion roaming about and seeking whom he can devour. He must find me easy prey.  I seem to be more than willing to become his blue plate special.

In a spiritual struggle I found myself weighed down with a sorrow I could not shake. It moved beyond sadness into despondency and depression. I was defeated, hopeless, and weary of the battle. As I brought all this before the Lord, He revealed that my eyes were fixed on the very people who were causing pain and conflict by their own choices and actions. I kept watching them, and thus kept my heart exposed to their continuing bad behavior. They were my focus. No wonder I had the blues. In effect, I was doing this to myself by wallowing in this misery.

The enemy had me trapped in my own emotions. I was reminded of a neighbor who had a huge, loveable St. Bernard. Outside this woman’s home was a large deck with no railings and steps that led up to the deck. She had stretched a child’s safety gate across the top of those steps. If the gate was closed, the dog would not leave the deck, even though it would have been an easy jump to the ground. He had eyes for only the gate and so thought he was penned in. Like myself, he had his eyes on the wrong thing.

I needed to lift my eyes to the Lord and get them off my circumstances. God is bigger than my present circumstance. As I began to think on God and all the things He had done in my life, my situation got smaller and smaller. I could feel the shift not only in my feelings, but in my spirit.

I was like a swimmer flailing in the waters and thinking I was drowning when all I had to do was stand up. In reality these waters are only knee deep. “I will lift up my eyes to the hills – from whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, who made the heaven and the earth” (Psalm 121:1-2).

I had a good laugh at myself once the Lord exposed the enemy’s tactics. I was cooperating with the devil’s lies and going along blindly with his deception. I’m jumping off the deck because I am not penned up any longer. And I am standing in the surf and joyfully splashing in the waves that will not overcome me. My eyes are fixed on God and I will yet praise Him for the victories He will bring. I have a great hope because my eyes are fixed on Him.

My Father, You are the hope I hold on to. In You I find my peace. You are my future and my glory. I only have eyes for You! Amen.