“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Prophet Isaiah, chapter 40.

Much can be said about the importance of one’s point of focus when it comes to life’s disappointments and hardships. The fact is, life is filled with moments and circumstances which have the power to swap our energy and extinguish all hope. From minor letdowns to significant crises, our hearts are constantly challenged by the weight of discouragement and fear.

Perhaps never has the power of discouragement been more prominent in our world than in the last 19 months. We have felt isolated from friends and family. We have lost loved ones due to this dreadful virus that has assailed the world. We have witnessed our society burn with riots and political unrest and now watch in disbelief the massive resurgence of terrorism rule in the Middle East. It is enough to make even the strongest feel uncertain about the future.

I was thinking about the power of discouragement this week when a big disappointment led me to tears. And I don’t mean a teardrop or two. I let the floodgates open, which is so very unusual to me.

The following day, as I sat down to read my Bible and pray, I came across an illustration about eagles by Scottish author John Ross Macduff that resonated with me. Anyone who knows me is aware of my love for eagles and how this majestic bird’s nature has inspired me through the years.

The illustration focused on the eagle’s habitat:

“You cannot detain the eagle in the forest. You may gather around him a chorus of the choicest birds; you may give him a perch on the goodliest pine; you may charge winged messengers to bring him choicest dainties; but he will spurn them all. Spreading his lofty wings, and with his eye on the Alpine cliff, he will soar away to his own ancestral halls amid the munition of rocks and the wild music of tempest and waterfall.”

As I meditated on the intrinsic meaning of the illustration, the beginning words of Psalm 90 echoed in my soul:

“Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were born or you gave birth to the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, you are God.”

Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were born or you gave birth to the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, you are God. Psalm 90:1-2 @AJC #MondayDevotional…
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The only psalm written by Moses, Psalm 90 is believed to be the oldest in the Psalter. From the content, we may conclude that it was written at the end of nearly 40 years of wandering in the wilderness as a prayer of remembrance for the people entering the promised land. In its verses, the leader describes God as the only eternal constancy in life and reminds the Jews of God’s faithfulness through the hardest of circumstances.

Moses was qualified to write these words from a place of vast experience with discouragement. He witnessed an entire generation perish in the wilderness. He undoubtedly experienced fear and doubt while enduring incredible hardship and leading a most rebellious, discouraging crowd. And yet, as we read this Psalm which has become a bollard of hope for millennia, we hear a man convinced that God’s constancy, faithfulness and power are the only anchors that can truly settle his wavering heart.

Indeed, just as the eagle that does not settle in the damp forest, however comfortable it may be, so should our hearts seek to climb out of the miry pit of fear and discouragement and make God’s relentless love and grace our dwelling place.

As the eagle does not settle in the damp forest, so should our hearts seek to climb out of the miry pit of fear and discouragement and make God’s relentless love and grace our dwelling place. @AJC #MondayEncouragement
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But we cannot do it if we fix our eyes on the news. Nor can we live in peace if we refuse to get up from the seeming hopelessness of our situation.

Disappointment, pain and fear are inevitable and there will be moments when the tears will flow, and sadness or fear will threaten to settle in our hearts. But our prolonged response can determine whether these joy killers will rule our lives.

Indeed, refuting lingering discouragement is as much a deliberate step as the eagle’s flight. Just as the eagle refuses to stay in the forest, we must choose to refuse to become consumed by the weight of our circumstances. Instead, as Moses did, we must remind our hearts of God’s faithfulness in the past and assert our trust of His presence in our future.

May we learn from Moses and the eagle and deliberately choose to soar to the Rock of Ages – the only place where the peace that surpasses all understanding reigns and our hearts find unwavering rest.

We must choose to refuse to become consumed by the weight of our circumstances. Instead, let us remind our hearts of God’s faithfulness in the past and assert our trust of His presence in our future.
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This article was originally published in Patricia’s column for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Saturday, August 28, 2021. Click HERE to read it on the AJC’s website.

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LINKUP is open! This week, I share another eagle story on my latest @AJC column, highlighting the importance of where we anchor our hearts when dealing with hardships. Joins us & share your blog!
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The post Refuse to Give in to Discouragement and Fear {Recharge Wednesday – The Atlanta Journal-Constitution} appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.

“YOU DID WHAT?  You really took the internet out of your home?  How can you function?  How do you get your work done?  Why?”

While researching for this article, I added up my screen time, including the TV, excluded the time that I generally have to spend on the computer for work,  and realized that I would gain about eight hours of time back for one week!  That’s a lot of time!!  With that time, I determined that I would develop a list of creative, tanglible ways to spend my time each week.

What I realized I could do with that time was amazing!  I could let go of my outside house help and begin cleaning my home myself,  saving me lots of money btw!  I found that I could garden a little more every week, which I love… and, I found that I would have time to cook a lot more.  Everything on my list used different parts of my brain as well as my body.  This inspired me as well because it’s  a proven fact that movement increases brain function!  Lord knows, I need more of that!!!

After making my list, I was pretty happy, but then I started thinking deeply about the things I wrote down.  They were all great things, but the list I made was pretty selfish.   As well, and most importantly, the list was not of eternal value for the Lord.    So, back to the drawing board!  A new list was drawn:

1.  Enjoy God’s creation outdoors and worship him while doing so through praise, adoration and prayer.

2.  Spend more time in Bible study with my 18 year old daughter, who will be leaving for college in a few months!

3.  Volunteer with my son, who has a side business fixing computers for a Christian Refugee Ministry, who needs computers installed in order to teach the refugees computer skills for job placement. That would also allow me time to show them the love of Christ!  Also, by working with my son, I am showing him how important it is to give back to society in an eternal way!

Okay, this was better.  I was on a roll!

As I contemplated other ways to use my time wisely and build the kingdom of Christ, I thought about many hobbies outside of home where you could join with other people within the community and spread the Love of Jesus.  This is what I came up with:

4.  Start an outdoor club and go on hiking and biking excursions in the community with new friends.

5.  Begin a community Bible study in my own neighborhood!

6.  Host monthly dinners in my home for people who are new to Atlanta.

Will I do all these things? I don’t know, but the creative juices were flowing, and I was amazed at how the simple act of turning off the computer or putting down the phone could bring many people to Christ if my mission and purpose was to share the love of Christ with all those who participate with me in these endeavors.  This technology trade off could be incredible!  I’m excited and in prayer about my list.

The post Our God Given Time & the Distraction of Technology appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.