I recently experienced a very uncomfortable pain in the back of my neck. It was so intense that my head started hurting. I knew something was wrong because I don’t get headaches frequently.
I found the problem shortly after evaluating what I was doing. Most of that day, I had been looking down at my phone, computer screen, and other things. I tilted my head back and looked at the ceiling for a moment. As I lowered my chin, the pain subsided. Looking up relieved the pain.
Periodically, life may feel like neck pain. Our response may be anger, anxiety, irritability, fear, or stress. When these emotions persist, my friend, it may indicate that it’s time to shift where you are looking. You may need to stop looking down at your circumstance and start looking up at the Creator. He can resolve all of our circumstances.
The author of Psalms 121 benefited from looking upward. Notice this shift:
I look up to the mountains —
does my help come from there?
My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth!
Psalms 121:1 – 2, NLT
After realizing the mountains could not offer the assistance needed, the author looked beyond them and found relief in the Lord almighty. What characteristics about the Lord give us relief from painful realities? Here are some observations from the remainder of this psalm that answer this question:
- He is a reliable resource. The psalmist noted, “My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth” (Psalms 121:2, NLT). We can rely on the Lord, who also made the world we currently live in, to help us when we are in need.
- He is remarkably responsible. Notice the psalmists observations in the next two verses: “He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber. Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps” (Psalms 121:3 – 4, NLT).
My friend, if life has suddenly become painful, consider what you’ve been looking at. Have you been looking down at your circumstance or up toward the Creator? When you look beyond the hills of your problems, you’ll be comforted by the solution – the Lord almighty.
My prayer for you today is that you’ll:
- Look beyond your problems and see the Lord almighty, you remarkably responsible and reliable resource.
- Experience no harm as He actively protects you from all danger.
The Lord bless you with quick and lasting relief as you look up to Him for help.