Micah 7:7 But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord,
I wait for God my Savior;
my God will hear me.

God is our refuge even in the most horrible of circumstances. The verse before this describes being betrayed by the members of your own household. The emotional wounds, at least, from that are severe indeed. When what’s going on around us is too horrible to contemplate, we need to turn our thoughts, the eyes of our heart, to God. That could be called escapism, yes, but it is a valid escape, because God has and is the solution to any problem. When we remain focused on the negative circumstances they pull us down, to the point that depression is the probable result. That benefits no one, least of all us. To the degree we are able to lift our eyes off of the immediate circumstances and focus on God, we become able to see the next step we are to take, instead of being totally mired in our depression. Hebrews 12:2-3 is very important advice for any believer, because Jesus went through human life on this earth and came through with shining colors, despite circumstances that were almost certainly worse than whatever we are going through.

I’ve had my own times of being down, though not as bad as what Micah describes, and as a pastor I am constantly dealing with people who are consumed with whatever they are going through. So often their suffering is extended and even multiplied precisely because they are focused on it! The difficult thing for me is exhorting them to focus on Christ without making them feel I am taking their suffering lightly. I’ve had people leave the church over feeling like that, which is totally giving in to the devil and looking at things the way he wants us to. I cannot force such people to stay, but I’ve got to keep speaking the truth in love, submitting people, circumstances, and myself to the Lord. I too have to keep my eyes on Him!

Father, You know the people who came to mind as I wrote that, both those past and those present. I ask Your grace and blessing on them and on me. As Elisha did for his servant, (2 Kings 6:17) I pray that their eyes and mine may be opened to see things from Your perspective, to lift us from despair to hope, from agitation to peace, so that we may walk in obedience and harmony with Your Spirit, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!