People will often use the phrase, “Keep your head up,” or “Chin up,” when trying to encourage someone to stay hopeful. That is actually derived from the Bible and is found in many verses. We see the wording “lift up your head,” “lift my eyes” and “look up” numerous times throughout the Word. Even Jesus said it.

Now when these things begin to occur, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption (deliverance) is drawing near. Luke 21:28 (Amplified Bible Classic Edition, AMPC)

In that instance, He was talking about looking up for His return. Looking up refers to looking to the Lord for help and staying expectant that He is coming through for us. Usually when we are looking up, it refers to God and good things. For example, when we say, “things are looking up,” we are speaking about good things coming. Looking down or being down refers to hopelessness, depression and other influences from the enemy. Just as heaven is up and hell is down, we can associate those directions with good and bad.

In order to walk in peace and victory, we must keep our gaze to the skies. When we look up and expect the Lord’s support and help in every situation, we can live a life of consistent joy and satisfaction. We don’t have to worry or fear- we simply need to keep our eyes on Him. We all know the story of Peter walking on the water (Matthew 14:22-33). When he took his eyes off Jesus and looked down at the waves, he began to sink. That is what happens to our emotions and our thoughts when we take our eyes off Jesus- they begin to sink.

David understood this principle of “up.” Many of his Psalms contain the words lift up, whether it was referring to him lifting his eyes in expectation or referring to God lifting up his head.

To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul. Psalms 25:1 (NKJV)

Rejoice the soul of Your servant, for to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul. Psalm 86:4 (NKJV)

I will lift up my eyes to the hills— from whence comes my help? Psalm 121:1 (NKJV)

Unto You I lift up my eyes, O You who dwell in the heavens. Psalm 123:1 (NKJV)

I am particularly touched by verses that refer to our heavenly Father lifting our heads. It paints the picture of a loving Father who puts His hand under His child’s chin and gently lifts it up to look Him in the eye. When we are down, He does just that. And when we look Him in the eye, we see love, acceptance, provision, protection… everything we’ll ever need or want.

But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, my glory and the One who lifts up my head. Psalm 3:3 (NKJV)

And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me; therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord. Psalm 27:6 (NKJV)

Remember that God is out to do you good, so stay encouraged and keep your head up!