I’ve been reading in the book of Psalms and was recently intrigued by a phrase in Psalm 25:17:

The troubles of my heart are enlarged; bring me out of my distresses.

The troubles of my heart are enlarged… Isn’t that an apt description? Have you ever noticed, when something is held close up – right in front of your face – how it appears larger than life? So big, in fact, that you have a hard time seeing around it? Troubles can sure feel larger than life sometimes, don’t you think? They have a way of robbing us of our ability to see anything else.

In verses 12-14 of that same chapter we learn that, in essence, the fear of the Lord is greater than the troubles we face:

Who is the man that fears the Lord? Him shall He teach in the way He chooses. He himself shall dwell in prosperity, and his descendants shall inherit the earth. The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him, and He will show them His covenant.

Wow! The fear of the Lord is welcomed, even invited! All other fear outside of this reverent, respectful kind of fear is unrighteousness, simply because it is outside of God.

How does one focus past the “in your face” troubles so that we can fix our eyes on Jesus?

How does a bride focus on her wedding day? She eats, breathes, lives it! She buys a wedding planner book, makes lists, creates vision boards, involves her friends, schedules planning parties and dinners, sends invitations, hires caterers… need I go on? In essence, she makes the wedding day her passion. Fixing our eyes on Jesus is no different. Let’s make Him our passion!

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  -Hebrews 12:1-2