The Lifter of My Head

In Psalm 3:3-6 (KJV) David declared:

“But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; My glory, and the lifter up of mine head. I cried unto the LORD with my voice, And he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah. I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me”.

    These words were written during a time of great danger and distress in David’s life.

     He wasn’t just physically tired. He was emotionally worn down. His head hung low under the weight of fear, betrayal, and stress. He was going through a dark season, feeling discouraged and overwhelmed. His own son had turned against him, and he was literally running for his life. David knew all too well what it felt like to be trapped, stuck between a rock and a hard place with no clear way out. 

    How many times have you felt the same way? How often have you walked with your head down, burdened by fear, failure, or defeat? Sometimes, life weighs so heavily on us that even the thought of lifting our heads feels impossible.

  Yet, in his darkest moment, David declared, “Thou, O LORD, art a shield for me.” Even with his head down, he acknowledged God as his protector, his deliverer, and the one who lifts him up. David knew that when God lifts your head, He also lifts your faith, your hope, and your trust in Him.

     I, too, have experienced many experiences in life that caused my head to hang low. But in those moments, God has a way of showing up in a song, a sermon, or even in unexpected ways to remind me that He is the lifter of my head. 

     My journey to university was nothing like what I had planned. I had always dreamed of becoming an obstetrician-gynecologist, but life had other plans for me. God led me in a different direction, and I chose to pursue a degree in Psychology instead. When I began my studies online due to COVID-19, the isolation became UNBEARABLE. Oh gosh man! I crashed out like a hundred times each day. And the funny thing is, I was doing well academically... but inside, I was struggling. I felt lost...disconnected, like life was happening around me, but not with me.

     When I finally transitioned to on-campus life, things got even worse. I thought being around people again would fix everything  (it did not). Instead, I found myself wanting to retreat. The unfamiliar environment, the overwhelming expectations, the deep longing for the comfort of home, it all weighed me down. I wanted to run back to my safe space, to the version of life I could somewhat control. But my mother insisted that I needed the university experience, and once again, my head sank even lower. I then made the decision to change my minor, knowing it would mean staying an extra semester. And you know what? I can finally say that it's okay. Because even in my lowest moments, God was still lifting me. He was guiding me, strengthening me, and reminding me that His plans are always greater than my own.

     At first, it was small-- a song that played at just the right moment, a random word of encouragement, a tiktok video on my fyp, a scripture that hit me differently than before. Then, I started to see His hand more clearly... In the conversations I didn't expect, in the resilience I didn't think I had, in the moments where I thought I would break but somehow found the strength to keep going.

     I had to trust that even though my plans had shifted, God’s purpose remained steady. Even when I felt lost, He knew exactly where I was. Even when my head was low, He was gently lifting it and reminding me that I am seen, that I am held, that I am not alone.

So, to anyone who feels like they are sinking under the weight of life, hear this:

Lift up your head and walk in faith.
Lift up your head and live.
Lift up your head and give Him glory.
Lift up your head and walk like a child of the King.
Lift up your head and sing through your storms.
Lift up your head and be brave.

     David cried out, and God heard him. I believe God did more than just listen...He reached down and lifted him. I imagine God tilting David’s chin upward, saying, “Look at Me. I’ve got you.” And David, in faith, responded. That night, he slept. Not just because he was tired, but because he trusted.

I am learning to do the same.

Prayer: 

Heavenly Father,

You see the weight we carry. You know the silent battles, the moments when we feel unseen, unheard, and exhausted. You see the nights we cry when no one is watching, the thoughts we wrestle with, the fears we try to bury. 

But Lord, You are the lifter of our heads.

When we are too weak to stand, You hold us. When our voices shake with doubt, You remind us of Your promises. When the darkness feels overwhelming, You shine a light and guide us back to You.

Help us to trust You, even when we don’t understand. Help us to lift our heads, even when we feel unworthy. Let Your presence be our peace, Your love be our anchor, and Your voice be louder than every fear.

Lift us, Lord. And when You do, we will not only stand, we will rise.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.