Perspective

<<viewpoint, perception>>

Overwhelming obstacles take on their correct size when we realise one person with God is a majority, for “If God is on our side who can be against us…Greater is [the Holy Spirit] who is in us than he who is in the world” (Rom 8:31; 1 Jn 4:4). Don’t doubt God’s power and love, instead see God’s hand in everything, with the obstacles as an opportunity to display the fruit of the Spirit, to develop character and more growth, as all of life is a learning process. The present trials which test your faith will result in eternal glory that will far exceed the momentary problems whose seemingly, insurmountable size take on their true proportion, when God is in the equation (2 Cor 4:16-18; 1 Pet 1:6,7, 4:12,13). Our problems pale into insignificance compared to the challenges some people are facing. The Bible says deal with the huge fault in our own life rather than highlighting the much smaller blemish in another’s (Mt 7:3-5).

focus from ‘poor me’ to our ‘victorious Saviour’ so “I will bless the Lord at all times” (Ps 34:1; Hab 3:17-19; 1 Thes 5:18). Is that my reaction to “Give thanks in everything”, acknowledging God’s supreme authority and purpose? We have the correct attitude when we have an attitude of praise as this brings God, who is still in control, into the situation. By having a proper perspective we are able to rejoice in tribulation knowing it is working in us what can’t be accomplished in another way and what is done in us is more important than what we achieve (Rom 5:3-5).

We need a long-range perspective, understanding that it is completely unprofitable for a person to gain everything in this temporary world yet lose their soul for eternity (Mt 16:26). For the unrepentant non-believers when their world deteriorates it will only get much worse in hell, while for the Christian the next life will be much better than anything they have experienced in this life. Keep His promises and principles of the Word alive in your life with your eyes firmly fixed on Jesus, while recognising Satan’s opposition, so that with faith, great things can be accomplished in His name, and for His glory (Heb 12:2).

We are told not to fear those who can only kill the physical body but not touch our eternal destiny (Lk 12:4,5). The fearful Israelites soldiers saw Goliath as a physically powerful giant, and because they did not have a vital relationship with Jehovah, they left divine power out of the equation.  David, although only a youth, had a vital faith relationship with God and saw Goliath as an insignificant nobody because he defied his all-powerful God.  David was confident in God’s ability and the outcome of the contest; in reality it was God represented by a lad demolishing what defied Him (1 Sam 17:23-51).

Things are not always fair or in the right balance in this world yet God is just and that will ultimately prevail (Lk 16:19-25). Rather than complaining about the few factors that are causing you concern, consider what is ‘for you’ by counting your many blessings. Being corrected ultimately produces blessing in our lives; the same as pruning produces more fruit.  Although it seems painful and destructive at the time, in the long-term it is God’s means for developing good character in us and productivity in plants (Jn 15:2; Heb 12:7-11).

spiritual (2 Kgs 6:17). Don’t wage warfare in the natural realm but in the spiritual dimension, with spiritually effective weapons (2 Cor 10:4; Eph 6:10-18). God says, “My ways and thoughts are not your ways and thoughts” – the viewpoint of an all-knowing God is vastly different from that of humanity, with our limited understanding and self-centered goals (Isa 55:8,9).

Often it helps to talks things over with a friend who can see things from a different slant and can give advice. As we are prone to think something is a major problem when it is only a minor challenge,  another solution is to write down the various factors of a situation and challenge each aspect with logic – for the whole scenario needs to be considered, not just a portion that is enlarged out of proportion.

Living with eternity in mind is the wisest way to live, conscious of the fact that this world is not all there is. We begin to have an eternal perspective when we are born again and then continually submit to the transforming power of the Holy Spirit, and develop Godly character as we spend time in fellowship with God and His Word, and outwork those values in our daily lives. By thinking right thoughts and making wise decisions this will keep us from chasing empty dreams and material gratification. The Bible counsels us not to store up for ourselves earthly treasures (which we can't take to heaven) but to stockpile heavenly riches which will last forever. It states where our treasure is, our heart will be there also (Mt 6:19-21). This eternal treasure consists of the things done for Christ on earth. While as believers we must meet our earthly responsibilities, we also invest time, energy and resources into His Kingdom.

See also: balance, eternal/eternity, focus, mindset, perception, position, position in Christ, positive mental attitude, priority, relativism, spirit realm, thorn in the flesh, understand/understanding, viewpoint.