As a young Christian, I looked at my problems and sufferings while letting them determine my day.

I looked down in self-pity wondering why they were happening to me.

I was looking to everyone else for help to escape it. God was my last resort, if at all.

I wasn’t looking in His Word to even know who He is and what promises He holds for me.

My life, faith, and Christian walk were weak and weary. I didn’t understand what God was doing and because I wasn’t reading His Word I missed out on powerful verses like this verse in Isaiah…

“But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”

Isaiah 40:31 (ESV)

I wasn’t waiting on God. Instead, I was scampering around trying to change things myself and living off my feelings.

And I can assure you, running life by our feelings will never mount us up with wings like eagles.

But one day I heard two, simple words… Look up! It was then I realized that I had been looking everywhere but up to the One who makes me strong. It was time for a change of posture so I began looking up to my heavenly Father.

Dear Father, 

I'm looking up to You for Your lead and guidance in my life.
I'm looking up to You for my words, patience, and strength. 
I'm looking up to You for my courage, boldness and for Your defense against the enemy.
I'm looking up to You for my identity, purpose, and refinement.

I'm looking up to You to calm my fears, worries, and anxieties.
I'm looking up to You to unravel the chains of anger, guilt and shame.
I'm looking up to You to banish my complaining attitude and to mold my perspective.
I'm looking up to You to comfort my pain and wipe away my tears.

And Lord, I'm laying down all of me as I look up to You. I am trusting in Your faithfulness and I'm ready to soar on the wings of eagles. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Friend, this is how we train and persevere in the Christian race. This is where we find our hope to take the next step. This is the believer’s lifeblood. I pray you look up to the Father, seek His face, and trust in His faithfulness.