The worst part is my giants tag-team each other. I get victory over one and I'm feeling fairly confident when his big brother takes his place and that grasshopper feeling comes again. Sometimes the giant is money struggles. Sometimes it is self pity. Occasionally, it has been physical pain or simply the knowledge that I am rapidly growing older but whatever the giant, my view of myself is always the same: Grasshopper.
 
I'm not alone in this. The disease of grasshopperitis started long ago and has plagued every generation. When the nation of Israel marched out of Egypt their head was high and so was their confidence. Then, for about two years, God led them through a training program as faith was tested. Finally, they were ready. He had prepared them. It was time to move toward the promises He had made long ago.
 
Anticipation had to be high as three million people marched to the border of Cana where they heard for the first time about giants. Big ones. Enemies. And, their hearts melted like wax as they whined about being nothing more than grasshoppers. The people were so angry they would have stoned Moses and returned to Egypt had not God intervened with fire announcing they would spend the next forty years wondering in the desert.
 
I find this especially sad because I don't think Israel knew the solution for grasshopperitis. We, however, do know. The writer of Hebrews told us about it. We cure our grasshopper complex when we stop looking at giants and start looking at Jesus [1] trusting that His active involvement more than levels the playing field. He doesn't just even the odds; He provides victory.
 
Next time you are feeling like a grasshopper, pause. Consider the God-man, Jesus. As man, He walked through life just as we do, experiencing the trials and pains and pressures. As God, He conquered them all, rose from the dead and has taken His place in heaven. As friend, He sent the Holy Spirit to strengthen us from the inside allowing us to participate in the battle of the ages while knowing we are on the winning side. "Seeing" that vision and trusting that vision will strengthen the weakest insect.
 
The solution for grasshopperitis is simple, but it is not usually instant. Just as physical eyes take a moment to adjust to new light, so it may take a little time and effort to get the hang of new spiritual vision. But when we firmly hold to Jesus as "the author and finisher of our faith," [1] we can "lift up the feeble hands which hang down" [2] because a clear view of Jesus cures grasshopperitiis every time. And, it doesn't take forty years.