I don’t know about you but for me it doesn’t take much for my focus to shift, and before you know it, I’m plummeting. The Bible reveals Satan as a roaring lion seeking someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8). I love looking up word synonyms and when I looked up devour, I happened across two words that size me up so well I was brought to tears! They’re the words Overwhelm & Devastate! You see, in my case, Satan doesn’t have to roar, just a simple meow and I’m toast!

I love those spiritual plateaus where finally coming to terms with Who God is: His Sovereignty, and How Big God is; His Vastness, causes you to rest securely in His arms. I love those times!

Unfortunately, the next minute, like Peter, I let my surroundings and the weight of burdens cause my peace to take a nosedive and my eyes lose their focus as I begin to sink. And yet, I wish to be as smart as Peter and cry out for help before my head is completely submerged and I’m overwhelmed and devastated (Matthew 14:30)!

• Hearing the state of our world: Keep my eyes on Jesus
• Receiving some crushing news: Keep my eyes on Jesus
• Feeling abandoned and alone: Keep my eyes on Jesus
• Being mistreated or maligned: Keep my eyes on Jesus
• Not seeing an answer to a prayer: Keep my eyes on Jesus
• Failing the test: Keep my eyes on Jesus

When will I learn? When will I learn to keep the heavenward gaze and keep my eyes focused on the Savior that has secured my redemption? When will I truly understand the various trials have a purpose in my “lacking nothing” and securing a crown (James 1:1-12)? Practice, practice, practice because like the adage says: “practice makes perfect!” Do you ever wonder why we encounter so many trials? It is for our practice; we finally get it right and the fruit of steadfastness is borne.

Paul David Tripp warns, “don’t become discouraged and give up.” He explains, “What is God doing in the here and now? He is employing the difficulties of life as tools of grace to produce character in you that would not grow any other way. So your trials are not a sign that God has forgotten you or is being unfaithful to his promises. Rather, they stand as a reminder that he is committed to his grace and will not forsake it—it will complete its work. No, he’s not exercising his power to make your life easy. No, he’s not at work trying to deliver your particular definition of happiness. He’s giving you much more than that—eternally faithful, forgiving, and transforming grace” (New Morning Mercies).

It’s all about becoming the person God wants us to be and shining His light for the world to see!

The best way to do that is to get to know His Story by learning from the pages of Scripture the lifegiving promises of God. And put to memory those passages that promote healthy vision like Psalm 100 (NASB) and recite it often!

Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth.

Serve the LORD with gladness;
Come before Him with joyful singing.

Know that the LORD Himself is God;
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

Enter His gates with thanksgiving
And His courts with praise.
Give thanks to Him, bless His name.

For the LORD is good;
His lovingkindness is everlasting
And His faithfulness to all generations.

Are you feeling overwhelmed or devastated?

Know that the LORD Himself is God [Elohim], the strong Creator God; Look up and Focus on His Goodness!