“It is impossible for that man to despair who remembers that his Helper is omnipotent.”
Jeremy Taylor
I enjoyed watching chipmunks scurry at my grandparents cabin near Flagstaff, Arizona. We fed them often and they became tame. Once I had one eat out of the palm of my hand. Chipmunks’ perspective is limited; they see what is in front of them. My viewpoint is also inadequate when I focus on the problem.
Prior to my heart attack, we moved my Dad out of his apartment into an independent living apartment. Dad did not handle the transition well. He became angry and attacked my character. Since I tried to be a good daughter, I couldn’t understand it. The tug-of-war within my heart erupted like a volcano in an arterial spasm.
Months after my heart attack we realized Dad’s belligerence was dementia in disguise. Could my heart attack been prevented if I had an accurate perception of Dad’s illness?
Jesus stands behind me while my eyes are focused on the trial. I’m blind to His presence when all I see are dashed dreams. The more I gaze on unfulfilled expectations, the more hopeless I become. But all it takes is a turn. What if instead of my eyes locked on the problem, I turn and look at Jesus, my hope. Psalm 42:11 says, “Why are you so downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will praise Him, my Savior and my God.” If my gaze is always on the problem and not on the solution, Jesus Christ, then my wrong perspective causes hope to take a back seat.
I awoke one morning on our cycling trip with great anxiety about the day’s ride which began down a Canadian mountain. God instructed me to declare His names, who He is, whizzing down the winding road. Instead of focusing on the risky ride, my anxiety fled when I fixed my gaze on God’s character. Peace flooded my heart as my perspective changed.
Eagles rise above and have a broader scope of scenery, seeing things differently, compared to a chipmunk’s viewpoint. Likewise, when we have God’s point of view on the problem and our gaze is fixed on Jesus, the solution, then we will respond differently.
Arthur Pink writes, “Well, may the saint trust such a God! He is worthy of implicit confidence. Nothing is too hard for Him. If God were stinted in might and had a limit to His strength we might well despair. But seeing that He is clothed with omnipotence, no prayer is too hard for Him to answer, no need too great for Him to supply, no passion too strong for Him to subdue; no temptation too powerful for Him to deliver from, no misery too deep for Him to relieve.” Does this describe your God?
Fix your gaze upon Jesus. He is your hope. Turn your heart toward Him during trials and allow Him to give you His perspective.
“Optimism means faith in man, in their human potential; Hope means faith in God and in His omnipotence.”
Carlo Carretto
Relevant Reflections:
1. How is your perspective wrong? Where is your gaze?
2. Which names of God do you need to focus on so you have hope?