From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. Psalm 61:2

I was a single mom having a difficult week emotionally. I woke up everyday agitated, frustrated and short tempered. I prayed, I cried and I complained to the Lord about everything.

After all, doesn’t His Word give us permission to complain?

I poured out my complaint before him; I shewed before him my trouble. Psalm 142:2

I was beyond overwhelmed and it must have shown on my face. A coworker approached me and inquired about the frustrated look on my face.

Normally I would not tell anyone at work my problems, but he was a Christian and a sudden peace came over me and I felt it OK to tell him what was going on.

I began to pour out my complaints until I exhausted myself listening to them!

And then he spoke. He shared with me the words of Psalm 61:2:

From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

The words had an immediate impact on me. I felt like I had elevated my problems above God and His promises about how much He cares about us.

My problems didn’t immediately vanish, but I was able to take my focus off the problems and put my focus on the Lord and His presence, power and peace.

The week ended on a good note, not because the problems were gone, but because of God’s love and His Word.

I recently had another one of those weeks and through an uncontrollable crying episode, I heard these words from an old time hymn softly emerge from my memory:

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.

Hebrews 12:1 tells us to do exactly what the hymn encourages:

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (emphasis added)

Suddenly, the week’s challenges were out of focus because of the choice to look unto Jesus.