THE JOYFUL LIFE
  • Home
  • Shop
  • Blog
    • HEART
      • Faith
      • Bible Study & Theology
      • Marriage
      • Motherhood
        • Motherhood (ALL)
        • Parenting Toddlers to Tweens
        • Parenting Teens
        • Parenting Adult Children
        • Raising Boys
        • Raising Girls
      • Divorce | Single Motherhood | Blended Families
      • Adoption & Foster Care
      • Infertility & Miscarriage
      • Friendship & Community
    • HOME
      • DIY Projects
      • Family & Home Management
      • Fun for Kids
      • Homemaking
      • Homeschool
      • Hospitality
      • Recipes
    • LIFE ISSUES
      • Anxiety
      • Difficult Family Dynamics
      • Emotions
      • Health
      • Identity & Purpose
      • Loss | Suffering | Grief
      • Work & Life Balance
    • REVIEWS
      • App Reviews
      • Book Reviews
      • Product Reviews
    • FEATURED INTERVIEWS
    • SEASONAL & HOLIDAY
  • Daily Devotions
  • About
    • Meet the Team
      • Management & Staff
      • Editorial Team
      • Blog Contributors
      • Devotion Writers
      • Photographers
    • Statement of Faith
  • Work with Us
    • Write for Us
    • Advertise
    • Employment
  • Contact
  • account
The Joyful Life News
Sign up to receive Joyful Life Community news, weekly blog post updates, shop announcements, and more.
A QUARTERLY COLLECTIBLE | Heart & Home Inspiration
THE JOYFUL LIFE
  • Home
  • Shop
  • Blog
    • HEART
      • Faith
      • Bible Study & Theology
      • Marriage
      • Motherhood
        • Motherhood (ALL)
        • Parenting Toddlers to Tweens
        • Parenting Teens
        • Parenting Adult Children
        • Raising Boys
        • Raising Girls
      • Divorce | Single Motherhood | Blended Families
      • Adoption & Foster Care
      • Infertility & Miscarriage
      • Friendship & Community
    • HOME
      • DIY Projects
      • Family & Home Management
      • Fun for Kids
      • Homemaking
      • Homeschool
      • Hospitality
      • Recipes
    • LIFE ISSUES
      • Anxiety
      • Difficult Family Dynamics
      • Emotions
      • Health
      • Identity & Purpose
      • Loss | Suffering | Grief
      • Work & Life Balance
    • REVIEWS
      • App Reviews
      • Book Reviews
      • Product Reviews
    • FEATURED INTERVIEWS
    • SEASONAL & HOLIDAY
  • Daily Devotions
  • About
    • Meet the Team
      • Management & Staff
      • Editorial Team
      • Blog Contributors
      • Devotion Writers
      • Photographers
    • Statement of Faith
  • Work with Us
    • Write for Us
    • Advertise
    • Employment
  • Contact
  • account
0

Look Up!

  • Teresa Whiting
  • September 1, 2022
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Print

I find myself looking down often—down at the pavement while I walk or run (who am I kidding, I never run), down at the tasks in front of me, down at my phone or computer screen.

It’s easy to look down in other ways, too. An endless stream of bad news clamors for our attention. We deal with personal struggles, memories of past mistakes, and the frustrations of everyday life in a fallen world. We all have reasons for hanging our heads and hearts in discouragement.

In Luke 21, Jesus is describing the end times to His disciples. He warns of natural disasters, persecutions, wrath, betrayal, and other distressing events. Yet, He ends His discourse with these instructions, “Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads because your redemption is drawing near” (Luke 21:28).

“Raise your heads” literally means: Look up! Be elated! Exalt in one’s soul! Jesus was telling His followers: “When the world is falling to pieces—look up!” Why? Because our redemption is at hand. Our debt has been paid! All that this world has taken from us will soon be restored! Woot woot!

You might be in the midst of a personal crisis. Or maybe you’re in distress over the state of our world. Maybe you’ve lost sight of our sovereign God, Who is still running the universe. I encourage you to look up today—literally and figuratively. Look up from your tasks, your phone, the news. Look up from your stressors and the things weighing your heart down. Lift your eyes for a moment and lock eyes with the One who has purchased your redemption.

“I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:1-2).

0
0
0
0
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Print
Teresa Whiting

Teresa Whiting is a national speaker, writer, furniture artist, and Bible teacher, but her favorite titles are “Mom” and “G-ma”. She and her husband Greg are empty(ish)- nesters after raising five kids, including two sets of twins. Teresa holds a degree in Bible and Counseling from Clark’s Summit University. She is in the process of publishing her first Bible Study. Sign up for biblically rich hope and honest encouragement delivered from her heart to yours!

4 comments
  1. Sue says:
    September 1, 2022 at 10:02 am

    I really needed to hear this today, Thank you Teresa, Love these Daily Devotions

    Reply
    1. Teresa says:
      September 1, 2022 at 7:17 pm

      I’m so glad these encourage you, Sue! God’s Word is so life-giving! ♥️

      Reply
  2. Abigail says:
    September 1, 2022 at 6:07 pm

    Hallelujah! Excellent reminder. As soon as I finish this comment I will put my phone in my pocket and LOOK UP in praise to God from whence comes my help!

    Reply
  3. Teresa says:
    September 1, 2022 at 7:19 pm

    Yay Abigail! It’s something I need to remind myself to do multiple times a day♥️!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

VISIT OUR SHOP
  • Issue 08 | REDEEM — Digital Version $14.00
  • Issue 07 | DELIGHT — Digital Version $14.00
  • Selah Moments Digital Study Guide | Joyful Life Magazine SELAH MOMENTS | Digital Bible Study
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    $12.00
Follow Us on Instagram
The Joyful Life News
Sign up to receive Joyful Life Community news, weekly blog post updates, shop announcements, and exclusive offers for our subscribers.

AMAZON AFFILIATE PROGRAM DISCLAIMER | The Joyful Life is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Amazon offers a small commission on products sold through their affiliate links. Every purchase you make through our Amazon affiliate links supports our ministry at no additional cost to you.

  • BLOG
  • SHOP
  • WRITE FOR US
  • EMPLOYMENT
  • ADVERTISE
  • Terms
  • ACCOUNT
  • Contact
© 2022 The Joyful Life Co., LLC
Site Design by Maize Agency

Input your search keywords and press Enter.