February 16, 2006
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Where should I look when my heart is overwhelmed?
It is at times like this week, when my heart is heavy and there seems to be too much to do and not enough time that I really find how strong my faith really is! When I want to serve and be an encouragement to people but there is so much to do and the days, hours and weeks keep passing by. Who do I turn to? Where do I look for my source of strength? I look Up! The more I though about this I began to see so much truth in that simple command: “To look Up and keep my eyes on Jesus!” I find that if my focus is always on Him, I don’t really need to worry about what is happening around me: laundry, deadlines, work, lessons, research, chores, meetings, etc. because if my eyes (heart) are focused on what really matters.. Jesus then everything else will fall into place! When I don’t “look up” and I “look around” it takes my focus off of eternity and I end up “wallowing in my problems,” (As Dad calls it the “Woe is me syndrome!”
) getting discouraged about the condition of our society, and just becoming over burdened! Like Christian in “Pilgrim’s Progress” when he gets stuck in the slough of despond because he takes his eyes off the light… 1 John 1:7. How easy it is for me to start complaining about the little things in life which really don’t even matter and I become ungrateful for everything I really have to be thankful for!! But when our eyes are fixed completely and totally on Him, I have nothing else to look at. All my “problems” fade away in the light of His glory and grace.
“Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace!”
Comments (5)
Dear Kristi,
thanks for writing that. That’s definitely how my life is right now. It’s such a comfort to know that someone else is in the same situation and also striving to follow God through it all. ;o)
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. ~Proverbs 3:5&6
Thanks, Kristi, for that reminder, encouragement, challenge (I think it was all three). It certainly hit home.
Please keep us all in prayer this next week as we embark on the first TeenPact class. Tori and I are heading to Indy tomorrow at about 3:15 (your time) to go get Ben at the airport . . . so the week starts! Mark Drye also pulled a *surprise* visit on us, so he’s here now. He’ll get to go to Indy with us, as well, and hang out until sometime Sunday when he has to head back. What fun!
I look forward to seeing you in about a week!
That was wonderful, Kristi! I must constantly make myself think about that, and not only think, but also apply. A lot of the time it seems that I commit the day to Him and start my work, and then get distracted. It can be so frustrating! But with His help and keeping eyes on Him, there’s always a way out of temptation, distraction, and sin.
Thank you for writing that! ~Anna
I emailed you a couple times, but I keep getting “error” messages back! So I’m not really sure if you got them, haha. Let me know.
See you tomorrow for some more adventures at the center! 
~Bre
kristi! i haven’t commented on your xanga in forever! i’m sorry….
so, did you get to watch any of the olympics?
how has your week been so far?
i hope you have a nice day!