• Look Up

    By: Kristen L. McNulty

    Reprint rights available on request. Email the author at kristenmcnulty@hotmail.com.

    When the storm rolls in, when things seem like they are spinning out of control, how do you react? More specifically, what is it that you see? Are your eyes locked on the problem while you are desperately trying to conjure up solutions to it? Are your eyes set on the storm in front of you while you feel like everything in your life is about to be swept away?

    A Different Way


    When faced with problems, storms and trials, many of us have a hard time looking away from what is right in front of us. We get so consumed with the chaos in our lives that we lose the ability to see beyond it. But as believers, a different way beckons us, the call to take our eyes off of what is right in front of us and instead look up to our Lord and God.

    As long as we keep our eyes locked on our problems and trials, we have the ability to make them seem larger than they already are. We also lose perspective as we only see the size of the waves instead of looking to the One who can still any and every storm.

    Psalm 121 captures it beautifully in verse 1 to 5:

    "I look up to the mountains- does my help come from there? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth! He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber. Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps. The LORD himself watches over you! The LORD stands beside you as your protective shade." Psalm 121:1-5


    What a beautiful truth captured here! Our hope is not in whatever help we think we can give ourselves. Our hope is in the Creator of the heavens and the earth. The same Creator and Lord who watches over us 24/7/365. When trouble comes we don’t have to send up a flare to try and get His attention or a rescue mission, He's already there with us and He knows exactly what we are going through!

     

    No Matter What, He Is With Us


    While our God never promises us a problem free existence, He does promise us that no matter what comes our way, He is with us. Jumping to verse 8:

    "The LORD keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever." Psalm 121:8


    So when the storm brews, instead of focusing on it, look up. Connect with Him in this moment and remind yourself that He is bigger than any storm, stronger than any weakness and faithful to the very end. The storm might continue to rage on a while longer, but you can know that you won’t sit through it alone.

    "This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9 


    Return To The Impact Devotional Archive