One if the things I’ve noticed is that in our most painful or stressful times we quit looking at the bigger picture and focus on the moment. In the most difficult time of my life I would watch the clock tick away and think, “If I can make it through this minute, I can survive.” When the second hand reached the 12 again, I would repeat it. I was focused on surviving the minute, but also forgetting where my help comes from. When things are hard our perspective gets really narrow. Part of that is a defense mechanism, but also I feel like it’s a distraction from our enemy. If we can stay focused on our problems, then we won’t focus on God who already has a plan to work things out.
In Ruth 1, Naomi had to leave her home because of famine. While living outside of the country, her husband died and then both of her sons died too. Realizing she couldn’t support two daughters in law, she tried to send them to their families. However, Ruth stayed with her for the return to Bethlehem. When they arrived, Naomi was greeted with excitement by friends. Naomi said to them, “Do not call me Naomi (sweetness); call me Mara (bitter), for the Almighty has caused me great grief and bitterness” (AMP). She was so focused on her bitterness she forgot to trust God’s plan. He would restore joy, restore land, give her a grandson, kings in her lineage and ultimately our Savior.
In Psalm 90:12 Moses wrote, “Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom” (NLT). Moses was asking God to help him evaluate life correctly and to give him the wisdom to measure his moments through the lens of eternity. It’s a great prayer each of needs to adopt as our own. Life is full of painful moments and joyful ones too. The moment you’re standing in may require every effort to survive, but remember it won’t stay like this. We are eternal beings in physical bodies. What we are experiencing now is temporary. As we go through these cycles, gain wisdom where you can and remember to measure every moment through the lens of eternity.
Photo credit: Anton Darius on Unsplash.
