But you are a shield around me, O Lord; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head. To the Lord I cry aloud, and he answers me from his holy hill. Psalm 3:3
Satan is a great suppressor. He thrives in throwing the grappling hook of despair in our direction with the weight of self-pity, depression and everything negative tied to the other end. And then, once that hook is set good, he gently and quietly slips it over the edge and with it plunges our countenance.
There’s no question that Scrat, the prehistoric squirrel from the very popular Ice Age movies is a long favorite of many. His quest for the “acorn of life” is without doubt one of great persistence and commitment. In the most recent of the movies, Scrat finds himself on a very small island with what appears to be a skeleton of his own kind. And just off shore, to the depths of the ocean, he discovers through clues from his boney ancestor the acorn settled on the ocean floor. Too far to swim, too deep to dive — he must find another way. And with a boulder as his anchor, he holds on for dear life as it sinks, with a tight grip, to the resting place of the acorn. And what appears to be his best idea yet to get this nut, turns into him only getting pulled down into deeper waters. The deeper he sinks, the more powerful the pressure becomes. Poor Scrat will never learn — but he sure can teach us a few things!
When we fix ourselves to the boulder of negativity and free fall over the edge, the weight of discouragement, despair and doubt destroy our mood. And as we allow for these thoughts to captivate our minds we are no longer behaving with the mind of Christ. Christ is our example here. Christ, when all things appeared certainly negative, maintained a positive attitude. He encountered personal attacks, betrayal and abandonment from his disciples when he needed them the most. He was strongly misunderstood, misrepresented and deserted. He was mocked and called a liar and left alone. He had every reason to be negative — yet, he turned to the Lifter of his life.
Lord Jesus, you turned to the One who lifts the heads of those whose lives are struck with despair and doubt. I know when I’ve experienced this it weighs so much it drives me to the floor. Yet, somehow, this burden is light for you! As though your finger touches the underside of my chin, much like a father does with his own child and you lift it to gaze upon your glory! Oh my God — the Lifter of my head, the Lifter of my life! You not only hear my cry . . . you lift me up!
Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is he, this King of glory? The Lord Almighty–he is the King of glory. Psalm 24:8-10