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PROGRAM D-7420
Are you losing heart? It’s so easy to want to quit, isn’t it? I go through the losing heart syndrome every so often, feeling abandoned, wallowing in self-pity as a rule, and it’s usually accompanied by fear of the future.
God understands how easy it is for us to lose heart and in Hebrews 12 he gives us some wonderful advice. That chapter begins by reminding us of the great people of faith who have gone before us—of our heritage as believers. Then we are told to fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, and remember all that Jesus has done for us.
Frankly, between you and me, I have to continually go back to this simple strategy—to get my eyes back on Jesus, stop thinking about myself and remember what he’s done for me and who I am because of him. When we’re losing heart, it’s a sure sign that we’re not fixing our eyes on Jesus. You can’t lose heart when you’re looking at him. But when you look at yourself or your circumstances, you invite discouragement. So, if you’re in the midst of losing heart today, it’s for certain that you don’t have your gaze fixed on Jesus, and that’s where you must begin.
How do you fix your eyes on Jesus? Start reading one of the gospels and keep reading until you’re thinking about Jesus. Your mind will wander and start going back to you and your problem, but just stop and make yourself re-read from where your mind started wandering. You must fix your eyes on Jesus—make them stay there until his presence and his love fills your mind.
We tend to think that these battles against losing heart take some sort of super-spiritual solution, but what is required is spiritual discipline—making yourself do something that causes you to get your eyes off of yourself and back onto the One who alone can bring you peace and perspective.
Losing heart is a symptom of being self-focused, and anyone who is self-focused is miserable. Have you noticed that? I surely see it in myself. Not long ago I found myself feeling angry and mistreated and overwhelmed – etc. etc. etc. All symptoms of losing heart. And the more I thought about me, the worse I felt. The cure came when by a set of my will I chose to stop thinking about me and think about Jesus.
I want to encourage you today to fix your eyes on Jesus, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. It is a spiritual discipline and it will work!