My twelve year old son reminds me of someone I know.

Me.

People say we look alike, we definitely act alike, and we even think alike. It’s a little creepy.

So I knew this past week’s visit to the orthodontist was not going to be fun. You see, we also share the same hypersensitive gag reflex…and it was time for his mouth to be fitted for a retainer. Yuk!

The last time we tried this, it took multiple trials and the appointment ended with a frustrated dental assistant and patient.

But this week we had a different assistant (Poor girl, she must have drawn the short end of the stick).

I warned her about my son’s gag issues. And sure enough, as soon as she put the putty in his mouth to create the mold, the gagging began.

But instead of reaching for a trash can or removing the putty, the assistant asked my son to raise his right leg.

My son glanced over in my direction, gave me a confused look, but did as he was told.

And guess what happened?

The gagging stopped.

Unfortunately, as soon as his concentration went back to the gunk in his mouth, the gagging began again.

But this assistant was on her A game and she quickly asked my son to readjust his position and raise his opposite arm as well. His concentration on this unusual task gave her enough time to complete the impression and we were done!

Pure genius! This wise dental assistant knew what a little change in focus could accomplish.

The psalmist advises us to do something similar…no, not raise our right leg or arm (oh, if only it were that easy)…he advises us to shift our focus from our misery to our Lord.

“Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me. Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him…I will remember You from the land of the Jordan, and from the heights of Hermon, from the Hill Mizar.”

In his book, Glory Days, Max Lucado explains. “The writer made a deliberate decision to treat his downcast soul with thoughts of God. Everywhere I go, I will remember you- from Jordan to Hermon to Mizar.”

Your verse will read differently. “From my struggle with ___to that recent issue with___. I will remember You.” (you can fill in the blanks).

Regardless of what you filled in those blanks….the end result is what matters. We must shift our focus from ourselves and our troubles to Christ and His greatness. We must remember Him.

I know it’s not as simple as lifting a leg or arm during a retainer fitting, but the concept is similar. It involves an intentional shift in our focus….and when we choose to do so, I believe we will be amazed at what God can and will accomplish through us.

2 Corinthians 4:18 “Fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

-Binu