A Godly Perspective During Personal Tragedies နမူနာ

Choosing Perspective

One of the most powerful secrets hidden in the minds of humanity is that we have the ability to choose our perspective.

We tend to think that perspective is the inevitable response to our circumstances. That we have no choice but to respond the way we respond. The truth is that we have been buried in an avalanche of assumptions, biases, and presuppositions. It is not our circumstances that bury us. It is the patterned responses we have learned to accept as definitive that keep us mired and shackled.

David is a great example of someone who chose perspective over circumstances. He says, “my flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” The thing about David is that he knew God. He knew how much he was loved by God. He knew God’s heart and knew that God’s power was much bigger compared to his circumstances. Knowing God gives perspective during hard times. God is very much interested in our personal lives; in the best and worst moments of our lives. He is able to support us through any season of our lives. David knew that. 

The world is too diverse to be one thing or the other. Our circumstances are too varied and complex to lead clearly to one response. We typically do our best, based on the influences around us, to make sense of the world and adopt a perspective that explains things. But what we really need is to discover a perspective that is true.

Paul shows us the perspective he had about difficulty. Paul was imprisoned, beaten, and slandered for his testimony, yet he chose a perspective that the trials were small in comparison to the gain he was seeking, saying: “These little troubles are getting us ready for an eternal glory that will make our troubles seem like nothing …This is why we keep our minds on the things that cannot be seen.” This is a man who chose perspective over the emotions that hardships bring. Choosing an eternal mindset is perspective, understanding that our earthly problems are temporary. These troubles ­­­don’t last forever. There is a lot more to life than we think. 

Healthy living is rooted in true perspective. And adopting a true perspective is a choice.