You’ll hurt your neck doing that …

Life’s circumstances can sometimes smack you hard …

… a sick child …

… an inattentive, seemingly uninterested spouse …

… a dysfunctional family …

… inconsistent friendships …

… harsh bosses …

… a depleting bank account in an expensive world …

All such things become heavier when we add to them our own imperfection, the bad choices we make, the failures we create, and the fall to sin that occurs.

And still to be added to the mix is the fact that we have a very real enemy in Satan, who never ceases in his efforts to destroy the followers of Christ.

As all these factors pile on a person’s life, I’ve noticed the burden of it often tends to show itself in our outward demeanor, especially by the hanging of a person’s head. One who is weighed down by the issues of life, whether self-inflicted or by circumstance, often doesn’t feel the strength, courage, or confidence to hold their heads high.

The heavier the load, the more bowed the head.

Until we allow for God to be God in our lives. Then look what happens …

“But you, O Lord, are a shield around me; you are my glory, the one who holds my head high,” Psalm 3:3.

Just as a parent is torn deeply when they see their children hang their heads from being burdened with life’s struggles, our heavenly Father is also moved when He sees His children weighted down by life. God is not uncaring or inactive, but rather He offers Himself as our shield, and He does something that not only energizes and enables us, but it emboldens us to the core of our being: He lifts our heads!

Life will always have it’s struggles, but God does not intend for His children to be defeated and hang their heads.

“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world,” John 16:33.

Are the issues of life weighing you down? Are you hanging your head in weakness and despair? Or are you allowing God to lift your head with the confidence that He is your sufficient and mighty shield?

Below is a music video that highlights this message from Psalm 3. Take a moment to worship and praise God for being the lifter of your head.

Scotty