Man is like the breath; His days are like a passing shadow. Psalm 144:4
What do you do when faced with a hard reality? Do you try to move on to lighten the mood? Do you do your best to deny or avoid difficulty? Do you let fear and anxiety overwhelm you? We all react differently to hard moments. One hard reality of life is that, short of the return of Christ, we all will die. The implication of David’s words in this psalm should not lead us to the pit of despair but are a reminder of God’s greatness.
When we remember the brevity of life, we gain perspective. Things we once worried about become less important. We begin to see life in light of eternity instead of what feels best for today. Recognizing the brevity of life pushes us toward God and reminds us of our dependence on Him. Colossians 3:2 says, “Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth.” Remembering the brevity of life reminds us to live with our minds set above and ultimately to invest in eternal riches that will never spoil or fade away.
- How often do you consider that life is short? What are some feelings that arise when you think about that?
- How does the hope of Christ help you come to terms with the brevity of life? How does it change your perspective on your days?
- Pray and ask God to help you focus on things above.
