December 20

Sometimes we just need to be reminded to zoom out. Stuff going on with our family, spouse, kids, job, house, friends, church, health, finances, etc. can get us feeling overwhelmed. When our attention is zoomed in to those issues in our life, it can be hard to have faith, serve others, feel joy, or even pray. We need to zoom out.

We need to zoom out and see things from God’s perspective.

We need to see things from an eternal perspective and a spiritual perspective instead of a temporary, earthly viewpoint! We need a perspective of faith!

Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”

2 Corinthians 4:18” So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

We need to remember who is on our side!

1 John 4:4 “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”

We have to remember that Jesus is Emmanuel (God with us) and that His plan is perfect even when we don’t understand it. Sometimes we need to be reminded that He is on our side and get our eyes on Jesus and how big He is instead of how big our problems seem.

Psalm 118:6-7 “The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? The Lord is with me; he is my helper. I look in triumph on my enemies.”

Psalm 118:13-14 “I was pushed back and about to fall, but the Lord helped me. The Lord is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.”

The enemy can seem to be coming in like a flood all around us sometimes, but the Lord is our shield, he fights our battles even when we don’t see it with our physical eyes. I am reminded of the time that Elisha faced enemies coming at him from all sides. His servant reported the situation to him and was scared and felt hopeless. Elisha prayed and asked God to open the eyes of the servant to be able to see the spiritual forces that were fighting on their side.

2 Kings 6: 16-17 “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “THOSE WHO ARE WITH US ARE MORE THAN THOSE WHO ARE WITH THEM.” And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.”

These were not physical horses and chariots, they were angelic/spiritual chariots of fire. So, when you are feeling overwhelmed, zoom out and see things from God’s perspective so that you can walk in faith that is based on reality, spiritual reality, NOT on how you feel or what you see with your physical eyes.

When you are feeling overwhelmed remember you are not even close to being alone or outnumbered! And nothing you face is too hard for the All-Powerful El Shaddai!