Lift Up Your Eyes and Look Up

Lift Up Your Eyes and Look Up

Years ago, a dear friend of mine was desperately homesick.  She and her husband lived in Portland along with their two young children.  However, her extended family resided in Boston.  Day after day, all she could talk about was how unhappy she felt being so far from home.  Her misery wore her down, drained her husband, and exhausted anyone who would listen. Because her heart was elsewhere, she couldn’t see the good right in front of her. She was unable to lift of her eyes and appreciate the life God had given her.

Tunnel Vision

This struggle isn’t unique to my friend. I too have been trapped inside my own head, letting difficulties consume me.  Soon, everything revolves around me: my troubles, my worries, and my pain.  Regrettable, I develop tunnel vision. My eyes are clouded to the world and the blessings around me.

Can you relate?

Learning to Focus on Others

I know from personal experience that when I’m sinking into the pit of despair; it helps me to focus on others. This antidote of turning my attention outward, powerfully redirects my spiraling thoughts.

As I take my eyes off myself and my circumstances, I start to notice what God has already provided—the quiet provisions, the small mercies, and the steady faithfulness that He’s done for me all along.

Don’t Be Downcast

Why, my soul, are you downcast?  Why so disturbed within me?  Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.  Psalm 42:11

The word “downcast” paints such a vivid picture:  eyes lowered, shoulders slumped, avoiding contact, heavy with gloom.  We might simply say, “Why are you so down?” or “Why so depressed?” However, Scripture invites us to something better—to Lift Up Your Eyes and Look Up.

Lift Up Your Eyes and Look Up

Lately I’ve noticed how often the Bible uses this simple yet beautiful phrase: “Lift up your eyes and look.” I used to skim right over it, but now it causes me to pause.

Consider these examples:

When Hagar and Ishmael were facing imminent death because of lack of food and water, we read…Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water.  Gen 21:16-19

When Abraham needed an offering, God provided one… Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and there behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. Gen 22:13-14

In the gospel of John, Jesus instructed his disciples…“Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest”. John 4:35

In each of these scenarios, lifting the eyes brought revelation, provision, and purpose.

Seek God’s Help

Unfortunately, I have a long history of failing to look up–maybe, you do too. I get so focused looking downward that I forget to ask for help. But our God is gracious. He doesn’t leave us stuck.

Let’s commit to the life-giving practice of lifting our eyes to look up.  We will find God’s grace waiting there.

But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. Psalm 3:3   

Prayer:

Lord, I praise You that You are the lifter of my head!  Help me look up so I can see all the gifts and mercies which already surround me.  Redirect my heart to You, others, and to hope. Amen.

Questions to Consider:

1. Do you have the tendency to look more inward or outward in difficult seasons?  Pause today and notice where your gaze rests.
2. How do you counter a gloomy or downcast spirit?
3. Think back, what blessing did you discover the last time you lifted your eyes?