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We All Have Our Illusions
Thursday, June 19, 2008 at 12:44AM 
Tonight you may have looked up and noticed that moon illusion thing that happens a few days before the first day of summer. TG and Erica and I were out and about just after "moonrise" and saw what looked like a ginormous orange drifting up from the horizon. It was every bit as breathtaking as the meteorologists and astronomers all over the news today promised that it would be. It's hard for me to believe that the moon's apparent size at such a time is a product of my imagination, but the experts insist that the moon is no bigger when it hovers just above the horizon than it is when it rises higher in the sky, seeming to become smaller and paler as it goes. It's all in our minds.
As we chip away at them like we would a huge block of ice or stone, the size of the thing becomes more manageable and a shape begins to emerge.
Many if not most of life's problems are smaller than they at first appear, I think. Sometimes their proximity to us, their massive girth, the power they exert over our being, causes us to imbue them with more heft and importance than they really have. As the "giant" moon drifts higher into the sky, it takes on a disinterested and benign appearance. The fire leaves it and only the pallor of its cyclops stare remains. Even when the moon is "full" and at its most impressive, it is less intimidating later in the night than when it first looms gigantic, directly in our line of sight as we are driving or walking.
So it is with daily difficulties. If at first sight they seem much too large to get a handle on, we should bide our time. Wait. Ask God for help. Tackle the ones we can wrestle easily to the ground and get those out of the way. Often in the process of doing this we realize that what appeared to be one huge insurmountable problem was really a collection of smaller ones huddled together, finding strength in numbers. As we chip away at them like we would a huge block of ice or stone, the size of the thing becomes more manageable and a shape begins to emerge.
Sometimes we'll make a wrong move. That is to be expected and doesn't mean we are losers. It means we are making an effort.
Discouragement is sudden death to problem solving. When we allow a situation to overwhelm us (and it won't unless we allow it), the situation has won and we are on the canvas ... down for the count. That's when it's time to shake it off, bounce back up, and start swinging away. Yeah, it's going to hurt and there will be a few more setbacks but after all that's what makes it interesting.
It helps if there's someone looking on, cheering for what they are convinced will be our ultimate victory. There are people I am cheering for. You know who you are.
We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed. ~2 Corinthians 4:8-9
Reader Comments (9)
When we ask for help, we always receive it. Thing is, it's not always easy to remember to ask. A kind reminder from others (like yours here) goes a long way to helping. =)
What an excellent analogy!
Jenny, there is a lot of wisdom here. I like the idea of tackling the small bits first and also the part about discouragement being sudden death to problem solving. Great post.
GREAT post, Jenny. These are words that are applicable to every single person, because everyone has problems and trials that start off seeming ginormous. Thank you for the encouraging words and the beautiful and descriptive way you delivered them!
I always appreciate words of wisdom and reminders that it's important to look up, not down. Situations are not always in our control, but how we view them is and can make all the difference.
Wonderful post!
What an encouraging post, Jenny. And truly, one that everyone can use and put to use from time to time. I know I certainly can! Sometimes, handing our problems over to God is so hard. For some humanly reason, we think we need to "worry" about problems. It seems too easy to just give them to God. I know that is what we must all do though. Trust God, He'll take care of it. Thanks for a wonderful and thought provoking post today.
Thanks everyone.
You are such a gifted writer and so wise. Sometimes my problems do seem so large, other times, not so much.
I wish I had seen the moon so full and large.
I like what Darla said the most. Your post is all too true. Thank you.