“It’s not what you look at that matters, but it’s what you see.” Henry David Thoreau
Ah, perspective. Eleven letters - just one word - yet it houses the power to change your life in an instant.
In the real world, you aren’t given the choice as to what your life will look like. This isn’t The Sims; you aren’t given a series of options about your personality, what you look like or what your family situation is.
But, what you are given is the ability to choose how you see things.
No matter what is going on around you, you have the power to own and control your perspective.
“The only thing you sometimes have control over is perspective. You don't have control over your situation. But you have a choice about how you view it.”
Perspective doesn’t make the issue disappear, but it means that your life doesn’t completely derail because of a tough situation. If your perspective is one based in hope, then you can still have full joy regardless of what’s going on in your life.
In every situation, it is your choice.
Choose to see how heaven sees. Call to mind the nature He has given you, instead of the broken one this world offers.
Looking through a lens of negativity makes any and every situation look dire and hopeless. This is the perspective of the world; pessimistic and rational.
However, the perspective we are offered as children of God is one of overflowing hope, peace and unreasonable joy.
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” 1 Romans chapter 15, verse 13
This verse isn’t relative to your situation. This verse is truth; standing apart from your life’s circumstances. You and I have full, unrestricted access to ALL joy and peace and overflowing hope in ALL seasons. No matter what.
The word of God isn’t just for the undisturbed times when everything is going according to plan. The word of God holds just as much relevancy for the “everything-is-so-overwhelming-I’m-going-crazy” sort-of times.
The word of God rings true in every environment, no matter the conditions.
In every situation
In every situation, you have the choice to decide how you are going to view it.
Are you going to let your thoughts be influenced by hopelessness or are you going to throw off the world’s view in exchange for fresh eyes; eyes of expectation and delight?
When everything is falling apart at the seams - those are the times when it is the most important to grab onto what you know as truth.
Those are the times when you decide to stand in courage and childlike faith, in eager anticipation of the goodness of God to spring forth in your life like never before.
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy chapter 31, verse 6
This verse says to be strong and courageous because God goes with you and will never leave you! Isn’t that incredible?
God has given you the choice of your own perspective, but that doesn’t mean that he is apart from you.
The reason that you have the bravery to choose to have a heavenly perspective is because your confidence is in God and his ever-closeness.
God is always present and close and always gives you more than you need, therefore you always have the grace that you need to align your perspective to that of Heaven.
The Holy Spirit is within you and has empowered you to elevate your thoughts and perspective to a heavenly one. One of hope, peace, joy and expectation.
There is so much freedom in the perspective of heaven!
Laura Miles is an excitable and fast-paced Brit, living in Australia. After recently committing to studying, she is ready and expectant to see all the crazy things that the Lord is going to do in her life.