As we get older and experience more of life, even the most idealistic personalities among us can be tempted to be truly cynical about people, the fight against sin, the world, the state of the American church, and our country. Truly, evil and injustice are rampant, and deception and darkness covers the earth… BUT we must remind ourselves that the Lord warned us about these things and HE is where we rest our hope.

But how do we overcome the heavy-heartedness and burdened mind that can descend upon us when the darkness seems to be overwhelming, when people shock and disappoint us, or when it seems that there’s really no point in even trying to do and be good — because you’re still not as mature as you think you should be, you don’t see the fruit of your faithfulness, people don’t seem to listen to the Spirit of the Lord in you and instead very quickly listen to worldly ungodly voices, and the gap between what IS and what COULD BE in Christ seems to only widen?

Of course, the answer is to “Fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” Hebrews 12:3

Fix our eyes on Jesus.

Get our eyes off of the “results”. Remember, that we measure “success” in obedience. Not in results. We obey Him because He is worthy of obedience. We obey Him with hearts full of gratitude. We try our best to glorify Him, but we leave the results of that work to His hands. Keep our eyes locked on Jesus and do all things for Him. HE sees the dying to self, the humbling, the honoring and pouring out to others, the sacrifice. We must keep our eyes locked on His watchful and loving eyes.

Get our eyes off the darkness. We must discipline ourselves to NOT fix our eyes on the deception, the darkness, the dry and weary land… and instead fix them on Jesus. Yes we can search for the glimmers of goodness in this world and rejoice when His light breaks through… but we can not cling to anything on this earth and count on it to not falter. Ultimately, only God is good. Is this too cynical of a mindset? I don’t think so. We enJOY the goodness of things around us, we praise and thank the Lord for it and we try our best to bring and keep that goodness to whatever we are called to be a part of. But we can’t expect things to stay un-tainted by sin. Ultimately every created thing will get tainted with sin… because every person involved in these things is tainted with sin. The question is, will there be repentance and honesty when sin creeps in? Only He knows.

Consider Him.

He knows more than anybody what it’s like to pour out His love and sacrifice and still only “some believed and received it”. Do not grow weary. Do not lose heart. Stay en-couraged in heart. Because Jesus perfectly understands how difficult this dry and weary land is… and His grace is sufficient. He will truly give us MORE than enough love to give to others and will help us love the most difficult people in our lives FOR HIM.

We stay en-couraged in heart because the goodness of God is all the goodness we really need. He is enough good to keep us going every day! And no matter what happens in the world around us, His goodness will always be more than good enough!

Be en-couraged with Jesus’ words:

I have told you these things (the troubles ahead for His disciples), so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33

Take heart! Be of good courage. Stay strong in heart. Never underestimate what the Almighty can do. Believe and know that everything can change in an instant with Him but don’t cling to any specific outcomes. Leave the timing to Him. Cling to Jesus and that He knows best. Our strength for daily living and for the ultimate victory over every darkness rests in Jesus.

Lord Jesus I thank you that you’re always willing to revive and refresh me in this dry and weary land. Help me learn to stay refreshed from the deep well of your love. Your love is what ultimately helps me “take heart” and gives me courage. So please Lord pour out your love more more more. Help me fix my eyes on that love poured out on the cross. Thank you that your goodness will truly always be good enough! Help me stay grateful and content in you. Help me PRAY more than I strategize. And when I recognize that I’ve gotten weary from trying too hard in my own efforts thinking things depend on me…. help me let go and fix my eyes back on you. Help me take heart and remember a lot of these yearnings I have will not be met until eternity, which is my home! I know that YOU are the Potter and I am simply the clay. Help me rest in your hands and leave all the results to you. You are SO patient and merciful. Thank you for your longsuffering and that your grace is sufficient!