“You, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.”
READ
REFLECT
“Keep your head up.” As athletes, we usually hear this statement after a loss or disappointing effort. The most difficult “lift” of the day may be keeping our head high after a tough workout, practice, or competition.
But, who is the actual lifter specified in our passage above? Even in the most difficult times, God promises you can always keep your head up, since He is the one who does the lifting. His grace, unending love, and sheer greatness cannot be compared to any circumstance here on earth no matter how tough it gets. As we focus our gaze on Him, we can easily keep our head up.
“I lift my eyes toward the mountains. Where will my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:1-2)
RESPOND
1. What tend to be the most discouraging things in your life?
2. List 5 reasons you can depend on God even in the most difficult times of life.
“He will hide me under the cover of His tent; He will set me high on a rock. Then my head will be high above my enemies around me; I will offer sacrifices in His tent with shouts of joy. I will sing and make music to the Lord.” (Psalm 27:5-6)
1. When my struggles overwhelm me, when the only option is to be patient and wade through the muck.
2. A-His promises are always met
B-His way always makes things better for everyone in the long run
C-He will put people in your life to help you through it
D- listening to him and pushing through will develop your weaknesses (James 1:2-7)
E- it will attract others to him by staying true to him.
Keith A. Britton I saw your head in your hands as you rested today. Count your rest and 3-2-1-Go! You inspire me every day my friend 🙂
When I feel the weight of the world on my shoulders and distracted by the things I cannot control, I am reminded…
…that He is my father.
…that He loves me.
…He never gives me more than I can take.
…He provides all I need and more.
…He has plans for me to prosper.
The most discouraging thing is when I let my insecurities get the better of me.
I know I can depend on God b/c he has plans for me not to harm but prosper, he promises that he has treasures hidden for me, I am his, he will protect me from those who wish to harm me and he will lift me up with glorious right hand!
The thing in my life that tends to be the most discouraging is not living up to the standards that I create for myself, especially in crossfit but also in my daily life. This is dumb because I don’t need to be setting standards for myself. I can depend on God, even in the most difficult times, because he created me and this whole world. He is my Abba, who loves me so much and holds my life in his hands. He knew every moment of my life before he even created the world, and he has promised to never leave me or abandon me. That is why I can depend on my God.
-Jesse