What are you staring at?
We are in an unprecedented time in history that has brought a lot of uncertainty and fear. Fear is coming at us from every news and social media outlet, friends, family, etc. I’m usually unphased by the news or social media because I very rarely look at them. BUT…I have been sucked in lately with everything going on and spent way too much time on them.
The other morning I woke up and started to pray for the morning. As I prayed, I heard a quote from Bill Johnson circle in my mind which says “Whatever you stare at the longest grows the largest.” I pondered this for a minute and then felt like the Lord was gently reminding me to stop staring at the negative and focus on Him and who He wants to be for me right now. He then encouraged me to read Psalm 77.
I jumped out of bed and grabbed some coffee ready to read Psalm 77. I feel like this Psalm is a picture of the quote “whatever you stare at grows.” You can focus on the negative and be completely consumed by fear and doubt or you can focus on the positive and be consumed with God’s goodness and faithfulness. The first part of this Psalm is all about Asaph crying out to the Lord completely distressed unable to sleep at night.
“I yell out to my God, I yell with all my might, I yell at the top of my lungs. He listens. I found myself in trouble and went looking for my Lord; my life was an open wound that wouldn’t heal. When friends said, “Everything will turn out all right,” I didn’t believe a word they said. I remember God—and shake my head. I bow my head—then wring my hands. I’m awake all night—not a wink of sleep; I can’t even say what’s bothering me.” Psalm 77:1-6
He then goes on to ask several questions feeling like God has left him and gone out of business. Can you relate? I know I have been in desperate times and felt abandoned by God.
“Will the Lord walk off and leave us for good? Will he never smile again? Is his love worn threadbare? Has his salvation promise burned out? Has God forgotten his manners? Has he angrily stalked off and left us? “Just my luck,” I said. “The High God goes out of business just the moment I need him.” Psalm 77:7-10
The next thing that happens is the key to living at peace in uncertain and difficult times. I’m not sure what took place but there was a clear shift in verse 11 in Asaph’s thinking.
“Once again I’ll go over what God has done, lay out on the table the ancient wonders; I’ll ponder all the things you’ve accomplished, and give a long, loving look at your acts. O God! Your way is holy! No god is great like God! You’re the God who makes things happen; you showed everyone what you can do—You pulled your people out of the worst kind of trouble, rescued the children of Jacob and Joseph.”
He went from staring at his troubles to deciding to redirect his focus to the person, works and wonders of God. This is huge as Christians to know how to shift our mindset. The rest of the Psalm is a conscious effort to stare at the goodness, faithfulness and glorious nature of the Lord. By the end, his praise and thanksgiving brought about an inner strengthening, encouragement and faith that he desperately needed.
My precious friends we can learn so much from Asaph that we all need right now amid the global crisis. We have an incredible opportunity as Christ-followers to RISE up, REDIRECT our thinking and REFUSE to allow fear and doubt to consume us. I’m not saying do not stare long enough to stay informed and keep your family safe and healthy. What I am saying is your soul was never designed to take in all that is thrown at you so be careful how long you gaze. My challenge for you is to ask yourself a few questions. What am I staring at these days….His holiness, faithfulness, goodness and kindness? If not, then allow God to do a Divine RESET on your thinking so His Perfect Love and Peace wash over you.
Until next time, I'm praying Isaiah 26:3 over you and your family.
Lord, thank you that You will keep my precious friends in perfect peace as they keep their mind stayed on You because they trust in You.