Life on defense
Is low-plane living.
Ever steering clear of troubles.
On guard to thwart marauders
From pilfering what you've gained.
Resisting bad thoughts,
Suppressing unseemly urges,
Debating our doubts,
Rehearsing our shortcomings,
Sabotaging our better inclinations,
Dismissing compliments and eschewing esteem from others,
Keeping fears and anxieties at bay,
Playing down our achievements, Magnifying our failures,
Stewing over all we've squandered,
Arguing, disputing and questioning our identity,
Containing the flood of condemnation,
Resisting regrets and
Ever patching holes gnawed by guilt.

How wearisome.
How weakening.
How boring and unattractive.
How self-absorbed.
How unproductive - even destructive.
How to be your own marauder.
How beneath your dreams and destiny.
How suited to repentance.

Lift up your eyes beyond yourself
To the hills and highlands
From whence comes your help.
To the Father of all comfort,
Goodness and tender lovingkindness.
Behold Him gazing on you with eyes a-glint,
A sky-wide smile and a face
Beaming with favor and encouragement.
See Him on clouds as chariots
riding swiftly to your help.
Read His posture, motion and countenance,
To know His resolute intent:
"I am For you. I believe in you."
Hear Him rejoice over you,
Deliberately root for you
With thunderous, exultant songs of triumph
The bold, expectant shouts of certain victory.

Put aside all that has passed,
Reach and take the held-out hand.
"Up My son, My beloved,
Avert your eyes from desolate delusions
And fasten them firmly on Mine."

"With all of the grace, blessing, and joy of My heart
I will strengthen you.
I will open into you the wellsprings of refreshment -
The living waters that carry new courage
And brighten the path before you."

"My thoughts of you are only good,
Accept the endless streams of joy
Flowing from My promises
And know that each and every one of them is yours."

"Give way to the waterfall of my affections
Let them cascade into your deepest places.
Give Me a half a chance and I will do
What I have told you from the start . . ."
"Behold, I make all things new."