Look Up
There is something that I have observed in working with people over the years and it is this: Pride looks down, fear looks around and faith looks up. Our “body language” reveals what is happening on the inside. If we are going to change our direction, we must change our perspective.
Pride is not only an attitude; it is a position. It is taking a position as being above another and looking down in judgment. It is like the Pharisee that stood up to pray and looking down at the tax collector said: “God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector,” (Luke 18:10-14). Jesus went on to say that, “he who exalts himself, will be humbled,” (v.14). In Proverbs 16.18, it says, “pride precedes destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall.” If you look down, you will fall down. You may feel rejected by others. You may even feel bad about yourself, but when you begin to criticize and judge others, your inward problem is pride.
Fear looks around at the circumstances and projects it into the future. Fear is aware of what others are saying and thinking and allows their opinions to form one’s convictions. Fear limits one to live in what is possible for man to do. Fear takes no risks and presents a false sense of being safe. Jesus did not hide the circumstances from His disciples. He was very “real” is saying all that would happen to them. He talked about wars and rumors of wars, pestilence, persecutions, offenses and even love growing cold. But in all these circumstances He said to, “Fear not.” They were to look up, because there redemption was drawing near. Fear looks at what is visible, whereas faith looks at what is invisible.
When you look up you can rise up. You cannot climb up and look down at the same time. Look where you want to go, not where you do not want to go. Jesus said to the people of His day: “You are from below, I am from above,” (John 8:23). Jesus is the Author and Finisher of our faith. Look to Him. To rise up in faith, you must stop looking down on others and you must get your eyes off the circumstances. Jesus is the Author and Perfecter of our faith. All circumstances are under His feet. As you place your faith in Him, you will find yourself seated in heavenly places, having His perspective and experiencing His power. So why look down or even around, when you can look up?
Scriptures to meditate on:
Luke 21:28; John 4:34-38; 8:23; II Cor. 4:18; Heb. 12:2