Fear not,

          for I am with you;

     Be not dismayed,

          for I am your God.

     I will strengthen you, Yes,

     I will help you,

     I will uphold you

          with My righteous right hand.’

 (Isaiah 41:10)

When outlook is bleak, try Uplook

Perhaps the above familiar quip is exactly what you need to hear today.  Can I give you another one?  It is a simple sentence that I memorized years ago and yet has so often been a helpful piece of counsel to my own soul.

     Look within and be depressed

       Look without and be oppressed

         Look at Him and be refreshed

Look within and be depressed – it is true.

In the verse above, God calls us not to fear…and yet when we look within, that is exactly what happens.  We examine our hearts, try to figure out what is inside and it is an ugly discovery and honestly leading to fear that satan uses so well.  If right now you are “looking within”….then your own experience is only proving this is true…it is depressing.

Look without and be oppressed – it is true.

When we look around at the world, at circumstances and at the situations we are able to observe, it can be so overwhelming.  The weight, the worries and the burdens can be crushing.  The questions, the confusion and uncertainty are bewildering.    If the world and situations around  you have your focus right now, I bet your experience again proves this true…it is oppressing.

Look at Him and be refreshed – it is true.

God invites us to take our eyes off ourselves, off our situations and fix them firmly on who He is and what He is doing.  Consider the five things God calls Isaiah to in the verse above.

First – Look to His Faithful presence

for I am with you;

Christian, God has promised never to leave or forsake us…and He does not lie!

Second – Look to His relationship with us

for I am your God.

Christian, God, the God of the universe is OUR God!  Remember that and look to Him.

Third – Look to His empowering in us

I will strengthen you

God is no mere observer in our lives, it is His desire to empower, strengthen and enable us to do all He has for us.

Fourth – Look to His help in our lives

I will help you

Christian, you are not alone, God is with you and is available.  He desires to help you and carry you through all this day has.

Fifth – Look to His protection of you

I will uphold you

God will keep you up, pick you up when you fall and defend you against all that comes against us.   See His protective care for you today!

Today…can I simply exhort you one more time….

     Look within and be depressed

       Look without and be oppressed

         Look at Him and be refreshed

                    Fear not,

                              for I am with you;

                    Be not dismayed,

                              for I am your God.

                    I will strengthen you, Yes,

                    I will help you,

                    I will uphold you

                              with My righteous right hand.’

 (Isaiah 41:10)

Jim