A Change In Perspective
Are you overwhelmed with all the changes going on around us? Do you feel like things are coming at you from all sides? I want to encourage you with a story from the life of David. David was King of Israel and he was under attack by Absalom, his own son. Absalom was conspiring to take over the throne and David fled for his safety. David wrote Psalm 3 while he and his people were fleeing from Absalom. The Psalms are full of David's songs and emotional prayers to God. In Psalm 3, we read that David felt surrounded. Maybe like you do now. We have so many stressors coming at us and changes in our routines. We have things that are completely out of our control and that can cause us to feel anxiety. Psalm 3 starts with David feeling overwhelmed by the obstacles he faced. "Lord, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me! Many are saying of me, God will not deliver him." Psalm 3:1,2. David cries out then switches his focus to the truth he knows.
“But you, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.” Psalm 3:3-4 (ESV). He knows God is a shield who can protect him from whatever he faces. “Lifter of My Head” is my recent painting about this verse and my need to lift my thoughts out of my current circumstances. This grey heron is lifting his gaze up to the sky for a moment, shifting his focus. I often lift my thoughts to the Lord and pray when I feel overwhelmed. Switching my thoughts to a positive, kingdom focused mindset is a daily discipline at times. But when I lift my thoughts to the Lord I can quiet my soul and get His perspective on everything around me. The heaviness can lift as I walk in His light and trust Him to navigate the way through.
Here's the full composition:
What are you focusing on?
Take a moment to breathe deeply and shift your thoughts to the Lord, telling Him what you are feeling.
He will take your heaviness and soothe your weary soul. I find when I can just stop, change my routine by going outside or just a different space and refocus on what God might be doing or saying through my circumstances it helps lift my burdens. It doens't change the circumstances but I often see one small step I can takeafter spending time releasing it all to God. We are wired to want solutions and a plan for our future. But God wants us daily to come to Him because He wants relationship with us. When we lay it all out before Him, He can lift our heads and fill us with His peace. In Isaiah chapter 26 we have this promise: "You [God] will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you." Isaiah 26:3 As we learn to keep our minds on the things that matter- on the Lord and those around us who we can love and serve- God will give us peace. As we learn to trust Him by surrendering daily and walking in obedience, we will be filled with peace. I hope you are encouraged that you can find peace in the midst of these confusing times by shifting your focus to the bigger picture and who God might want you to encourage, bless or serve today. Trust Him to take care of your needs. May this image be a reminder that we have a God who hears us. So thankful to Him, the "Lifter of My Head."
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