Building A Close Relationship with God Series: Look Up

“Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always,”-1 ChroniclesFo 16:11

We’re continuing in our Building a Close Relationship With God Series with a look at focus. 

Focus

What we focus on becomes magnified in our lives.  Focusing on pain and difficulty enlarges them, but focusing on God brings us peace.

Often God seems far off because our view of Him is clouded by our difficult circumstances.  We need to shift our focus in order to see God. It’s in the shifting we experience His presence, which helps us have the ability to get through our hard days or frustrating moments.

The rambunctious child on the playground reaches to grab the monkey bars, but he slips and comes crashing down. Tears stain his face as he surveys the playground looking for the face of his father.  Daddy swoops in and picks him up and says, “Look at me, it’s going to be okay.” Dad holds the child close and comforts him.

She’s labored for hours as waves of pain sweep through her body, so she can bring forth this life inside of her.  She knows to look up. She focuses on her husband’s face and he counts her through the contraction. She’s drawing strength and courage from him to continue her arduous task.

Each of these has learned the value of focus.  When they look to someone stronger they know they can make it through. When they shift their gaze from the pain they are experiencing, they receive comfort and care. And so it goes with our good God.

In order to build a close relationship with God, we need to learn to look to Him.  Life gets overwhelming, and the pain seems too much to bear as we focus on the obstacle in front of us.  The obstacles come in many forms: fear, doubt, frustration, loss, physical or emotional pain, stress, depression, racing thoughts, broken relationships, financial lack, addiction, and abandonment. The list goes on and on, and indeed, life is hard.  We need relief and the help comes when we shift our focus to God.

I Will Lift My Eyes

“I will lift my eyes to the mountains where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip-he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.  The Lord watches over you-the Lord is the shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm- he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” - Psalm 121:1-8

David, the psalmist writes this beautiful psalm declaring how he has learned to shift his gaze to God in the midst of battle. He recognizes God as the helper, and he declares all the ways God is good and will help.  David speaks to God’s creative power, faithful watch, and constant protection. When David looks to God, he exhibits trust. He is confident in God’s ability to sustain him.

This is why we need to shift our focus.  It helps us believe God is trustworthy and will work on our behalf behind the scenes.  We must never forget God is always up to so much more than what we see. The moment we look to God, we will feel closer to Him. 

As we focus on the goodness of His character and the promises of the Word, we are able to see Him more clearly, and that brings peace to our frayed emotions. Have you looked to Him today?

Dear Papa, help me to learn this lesson from King David.  When I am overwhelmed with what’s in front of me, I can shift my gaze to You.  When I look at you, I see all You’re capable of. I see Your goodness, strength, provision, peace, help, support, and love.  Help me focus on You instead of the difficulty in front of me. Thank you for being my help. Amen.

Still struggling?

Maybe this will help.

I’ve created a free guide to help you build a closer relationship with God.  Just click on the image and leave your name and email so I know where to send it.