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The Uncommon Christ Series explores scriptural titles and names for the Savior that are less familiar.
When one of His prophets was overwhelmed by sorrow and discouragement, the Savior’s simple counsel was to “lift up your head and be of good cheer” (3 Nephi 1:13).
This implied promise of hope can be to all of us: when we lift our spiritual sights upward, what we behold will cause us to be of good cheer.
That’s easy enough, right? Just shift your gaze up a few degrees, and your life will be filled with joy!
Yes, but....
What about the times we aren’t able to lift our heads because heavy burdens have caused our spiritual neck muscles to ache or deteriorate?
Or when we’re unmotivated to look away from something else we’re focused on?
What if we don’t even recognize our gaze has dropped?
It isn't always an easy thing to do.
Fortunately for you and me, we have help! “Thou, O Lord, art … the lifter up of mine head” (Psalms 3:3, KJV). This can also be translated as the one who lifts up my head .
I love this moving description of the Savior’s relationship with us because it carries an undertone of familiarity and tenderness.
I sometimes imagine how it would feel to have the Savior literally lift my chin so I am looking into His kind, smiling eyes. He isn’t angry for my sins, disappointed by my mistakes, or afraid of anything He sees in me. He’s just happy I’m looking up.
How might you recognize Him spiritually lifting your head?
Feeling empowered to break your gaze or grip on a certain sin.
Experiencing the desire to do something that uplifts you or someone else.
Noticing a tender mercy or the Lord's hand in your life.
There are countless ways the Savior can lift our sights so we may “lay aside the things of this world, and seek for the things of a better” (Doctrine & Covenants 25:10).
Once our heads are lifted and our eyes are refocused on the Light of the World, we, like Nephi, are far better able to be of good cheer, because we can better recognize His presence and influence in our lives.
While Jesus Christ is "the God Who Sees Me" (which is another name in this series), seeing me isn’t His only goal: He also desires me to be able to see Him so I can better know, trust, and follow Him. I need the One Who Lifts Up My Head for all the times I don’t—or can’t—do it on my own.
And what He helps me see is beautiful.
