My Struggling Friend,

It's easy to feel alone & overwhelmed in this world.  Circumstances put fear into motion and before I know it, I'm saying what I've said a hundred times before, "I can't take this one more day!"  I must have been wrong, because here I am!

It's all a matter of perspective: to a tiny red ant in my garden, the grasshopper in the plant beside him looks like a giant.  The grasshopper sees the mouse that's looking for a cozy spot to nap as a formidable enemy.  The mouse is scared of the neighbor's cat, which in turn is intimidated by our cocker spaniel that barks and runs and hides behind the divan when the UPS delivery man comes to the door.  Me?  I'm scared to death of that little red fire ant!

But seriously, we tend to fear what we don't understand, what we can't overpower or control, and especially what can overpower and/or control us.

This is what I've learned: My God is only as BIG as I see Him, or as I allow Him to be.  Same goes for the devil.  If I base my belief on feelings, doubts, fears, and Satan's own PR I could LIVE scared - unfortunately at times I have. and do.  More and more I am learning to believe what God says regarding Himself and the enemy instead of what I am feeling at the time.  (*Scripture verses below)

So - whom do YOU wanna believe?  Do you want to live in the chicken coop scared of the shadow of all that flies above, walks around, or comes into the pen.  Were we made to keep looking down to the ground pecking and hunting for our treasures?  Or were we created to soar like eagles above the circumstances - the predator, not the prey - seeing obstacles below as small & insignificant.

He calls us to mount up with wings as eagles. (Isa. 40:31)  I've never read a verse where we're told to peck with the hens, or crow with the roosters, have you?

Ever seen an eagle's nest?  It's always at the highest spot available.  I saw one once through powerful binoculars.  It was awesome!  So big I believe I could nap in it, and so high up, you can't make it out with the naked eye.  Even with the lenses, I'd have never spotted it w/o help.  I am called to dwell in the heavenlies - so are you!  I am called to live where I can see things from my Father's perspective. way above the circumstances.

I learned something really interesting about the eagle.  Each morning, just as the sun begins to peek over the horizon, the eagle soars straight into it and screams loudly several times.  Her voice raised, soaring effortlessly right for the rising sun.  I felt the Holy Spirit say to me,
"That's just as you should do!"  As I thought about it, I understood what He meant.  First thing in the morning, He calls me to soar effortlessly toward the Risen Son while crying aloud His praises.  Ever flying closer to Him, and farther from my circumstances.  If I will fly toward Him early every morning crying out praises; I can get a good start on my day before the circu mstances have a chance to take over.  When things are in proper perspective, it makes all the difference.  From up there where He is, things down here look so tiny.  That's the vantage point He wants us to get and keep - beginning in the morning, and carry it through the rest of the day.