Depends On How You Look At It!

Many of us appreciate the wonderful pictures of earth sent from the Hubble Telescope.  We gain a valuable perspective of both our unity as humans inhabiting the same small planet in a vast universe and of the magnificent and creative power of our God.

Many of us appreciate the wonderful pictures of earth sent from the Hubble Telescope.  We gain a valuable perspective of both our unity as humans inhabiting the same small planet in a vast universe and of the magnificent and creative power of our God.

At a conference this past weekend a plenary speaker showed a picture of a glass filled to approximately half capacity. The speaker queried the audience as to whether they perceived the glass as half full or half empty.  How we look at a situation, even such a simple image, affect how we feel and what we do.  In so many situations we need an adjustment to our perspective.

Note this scripture, Colossians 3:2-4 “Keep thinking about things above, not things on the earth, for you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ (who is your life) appears, then you too will be revealed in glory with him.” I believe this mindset provides a perspective that enables us to persevere and walk by faith.  When a crisis occurs, when disappointments break our hearts, each of us faces a choice.  We can choose to refocus our minds beyond our present experience based on what we know about God.  We can expand our perspective. Or, conversely, we can simply dwell on we see and feel at the moment without lifting our thoughts above.

Another illustration suggests that our perspective is like taking a snapshot or picture of a situation.  The Enemy of our soul would like to crop God out of the picture so our minds and hearts will be consumed with the pain and difficulty. Choosing Colossians 3 to represent God’s perspective, setting our minds on things above, directs our thinking in the opposite direction, cropping God back into the picture.  Further in Colossians 3 Paul continually challenges us to adopt a thankful heart and mind.  Thanksgiving crops God back into the picture and shifts our mental perspective.

Two questions and one statement help me regain perspective many times in different situations.  The statement I confidently affirm to myself in the midst of sudden bad news is this, “This didn’t take God by surprise.” Just reminding myself of this  allows me to stop, take a deep breath and resist succumbing to panic.

Questions that adjust my perspective are “What difference will this make in 100 years?” and “What might God be up to in this situation?” I am confident that nothing comes into the life of God’s child except with His permission, therefore, He is always available and involved providing comfort and strength.  Indeed we are invited to come boldly to find just that help in time of need. Hebews 4:16.  

Additionally the words of James 1 “My brothers and sisters, consider it nothing but joy when you fall into all sorts of trials” reminds us to consider (not necessarily feel) that there can be good from this situation, a real change of perspective, to crop God back into the picture where He belongs.

Whatever is happening in my world and your world today, let’s commit to developing a life of thanksgiving and gratitude and choose to see life from God’s perspective.