Allowing Adversity to Change Your PerspectiveНамуна

Perspective as Worship

There is perhaps nothing more powerful than the ability to worship in the face of suffering. Worshipping and thanking the Lord, even in the hardest of situations, have the power to supernaturally flip our perspectives and ease our way through whatever trials we are experiencing. It is no coincidence that the entire book of Job is an ode to this power.

We often talk about Job as a book of perseverance. We talk about it as an example of faith. However, we forget that Job’s perseverance and faith are byproducts of his commitment to worship.

In the face of unbearable tragedy, Job’s reaction was praise. He found ways to be thankful, to celebrate who God is. Yes, he grieved; he asked questions, struggled—but he always ended up worshipping the Lord (Job 42:2, 5). All in all, he held true to a perspective that did not waver despite his circumstances, no matter how horrendous.

We think of perspective as just a way we view the world, something simple and easy that can be adjusted, blown around by the wind. But perspective is the choice we make about what we accept as true. When we choose to accept the truth that God is all-knowing and all-powerful, that our lives are in His hands—this is an act of worship.

Declaring truth, clinging to it, and trusting in the journey it takes us on is a difficult enterprise. It is easier to focus on “fixing” our circumstances than to consider how the Lord might be glorified through them. It is simpler to try to fight for control, to demand our way, and to forget that we are not in charge. God is.

The mystery of the Kingdom is difficult. Trusting God in all circumstances is challenging. But He is an infinitely loving God, worthy of our trust (Psalm 26:3, 69:16). Job declared, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust him” (Job 13:15). He said, “I know that my Redeemer lives” (Job 19:25). He chose to worship God. Like Job, we can choose to have a perspective of thankfulness and adoration.

 Lord, please help me worship and praise You in the midst of adversity, as Job did.