Does your life feel like an overload of disappointments? Are you burdened down with life’s perplexities and responsibilities? Is the tension of strained relationships beating grooves of anxiety in your brain?

We don’t need to look far to see the turmoil in the world around us. But sometimes it goes on inside of us, almost without us realizing, because we are so immune to it. We know God is good, but sometimes it absolutely doesn’t make a stitch of sense to our bumfuzzled little brains. If our hearts don’t fully experience the depths of Jesus’ love, the hardships of life can swiftly overtake our mindset. For most of us, it takes much more effort to see the positive than the negative.

Here is proof that we are bent on negativaty. Recently, someone told me this story: A speaker was telling his audience that he’s going to make 3 statements about the group. He then proceeded to give two positives and one negative about them. After some time, he asked them if they can remember the positive statements he had made. No one did. But when he asked what the negative statement was, they certainly remembered! 

I’d like to encourage you to bring your distressed heart to Jesus. Truly believing in His caring heart. For years, I had a head knowledge of Jesus’ care but not a heart knowledge. My heart was hurting from some painful things I had experienced in my childhood. Even though I knew Jesus cared for me, for many years, my heart did not fully grasp His deep love and compassion for my aching heart. It’s a bit hard to explain. If you’ve never experienced this, you may not understand. But if you have, and were made aware of it, you’ll know what I mean.

Through a series of events a some weeks ago,  God showed me things about my heart I was unaware of. It was an intense, yet such a beautiful time of connecting in deeper levels with Jesus, as well as my spouse.

One of those nights, I lay awake for a couple hours. This in itself is not unusual for me. But this night, my mind was mulling over the day’s discussions and things I was learning. And God so clearly brought a song to my mind. First, it was just in my subconscious mind, but as I thought about it more and more, I realized the depths of the words. I don’t know when I last heard or sang this song- definitely not for a long time! I couldn’t even recall the remainder of the song. Only the chorus floated through my mind over and over, bringing a peaceful aura to my soul. Here is the chorus:

Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face,  And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,  In the Light of His glory and grace.

You may be feeling painful hurts of the past or pressures to perform in the present. Perhaps your heart is grieving the loss of someone precious. Or maybe you carry the silent grief of depression and mental health challenges like I did. Can you read this chorus with a new set of eyes? Jesus carries you and hurts right along with you. He’s wiping those tears that no one else sees. Will you lift your eyes and not only look but gaze in His wonderful face? Not a hurried glance, fearful of meeting an angry face. He loves you with the most compassionate love possible, no matter what your track record is. There is no need to perform to be able to receive His amazing love. ❤️ His face is only beautiful!

Jesus is not scowling at you for your latest misdeeds. He’s not glaring at you for missing your morning Bible reading. His face is full of tender love for you and your heart’s needs.  As you fully grasp His beautiful face, the Light of Him will cause all these plaguing earthly trials to grow strangely dim, because He is FULL OF GLORY AND GRACE. And when we catch that glory and grace His heart is made of, we are moved to LOVE this compassionate Savior of ours. Truly loving Him. Not serving Him out of duty.

Here are the verses for Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus. This song was written by Helen H. Lemmel in 1922. It was inspired by the life of a missionary, Lilias Trotter, and based off a poem she had written.

Verse 1- O soul are you weary and troubled? No light in the darkness you see?  There’s light for a look at the Saviour, And life more abundant and free!

Verse 2- Thru death into life everlasting He passed and we follow Him there; Over us sin no more hath dominion- For more than conquerors we are!

Verse 3- His word shall not fail you- He promised; Believe Him and all will be well; Then go to a world that is dying, His perfect salvation to tell!

When our hearts experience the depths of Jesus’ compassionionate heart, there is an ocean of His grace and love and power lying all around us. We can live focused lives intent on one aim- Jesus Christ! May your heart’s needs be met today as you look full in His wonderful face! 🤍