Look straight ahead,
    and fix your eyes on what lies before you.
Mark out a straight path for your feet;
    stay on the safe path.
Don’t get sidetracked;
    keep your feet from following evil.
_{Proverbs 4:25-27 NLT}

He’s weak and dizzy as he takes his first steps. I follow behind and hear the one helping him say, “Don’t look down. Look straight ahead.” Each time his focus shifts down to the floor, the gentle one encourages, “Look straight ahead.”

This is one lesson of many I’ve learned in the wilderness. Because if I’m not careful, I get sidetracked by the temptation of fear and worry. All the what-ifs can easily drown out the faith I’m clinging to with all my strength.

I see Jesus looking straight ahead when he was tempted by evil. He never wavered, never considered what the enemy offered. He responded with confidence when evil twisted the truth. His eyes were fixed on God’s safe path, and he stayed the course. His weapon was the Word. (Matthew 4:1-11 NLT)

So I preach to myself in the dark moments when fear comes calling. I respond to my what-ifs with what I know to be true about the God I serve. I recite ancient words like great is his faithfulness
all things are possible to him who believes
the Lord is my shepherd, I do not lack a thing
his mercy is new every morning
if anyone lacks wisdom let him ask…

This is the way of looking straight ahead. The only way I know to fix my eyes on what lies ahead and to stay on the path. I’ve come to know it’s the escape God has given to me… and you. The very thing that squashes fear and brings peace.

unexplainable
undeniable
unexpected
peace.

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4: 6-7 NLT