Spare Change July 2017
Get a New Perspective
Much of life is about perspective. How we view our circumstances greatly impacts our attitude and actions. Let me give you a simple example. If you view children as a burden then they will always be bothersome to you. Their messes and loud noises will be frustrating. However, if you view them as blessings then you are able to pass over the little annoyances and realize they are a gift from God.
Often times we look at our situation and just see the negative. Sometimes we can't help it. We get so wrapped up in our own little bubble that it becomes difficult to see anything from a different perspective.
When we do look up, often it is to look at other people's situations, which only further increases our frustration. We look at others around us and realize what they have or what they get to do and we envy them. All the while not really having an honest perspective on our situation. Case in point-- I often feel like a failure as a father. I get frustrated too easily. I don't offer grace in the right situations. I often don't feel like a good parent. Then I hear from a good friend that another father was using me as an example of someone he looks up to as a father. He thinks that I am a good father and aspires to be like me. This blew me away. I thought to myself, "guess I have him fooled". But the reality is I am probably doing better than I think. Even though I struggle often, and need the grace of Jesus everyday, it was nice to be encouraged by this man.
The same can be true with our possessions. It is easy to get down on say, an older car that you hate to drive, especially when you look at other people's cars. But if you change your perspective you can change your attitude. You just have to see things differently. Choose to look at your car as a blessing. From working at our food pantry I know so many people that would look at any car, no matter how old, as a blessing.
Remember, when you're looking at someone else with envy, there is probably someone looking at you with envy. I say all this not so we will continue in envy but rather be content and thankful for what we have. When you change your perspective from man's point of view and reorient your mindset to a biblical point of view you can't help but be thankful. You start to think about things as blessings. You start to see your situation as an opportunity to bring God glory. This is the exact mindset God wants us to have in all things. Will you choose to view your circumstances like that? With a thankful attitude that sees life's situations as divine appointments and every opportunity and possession as a blessing; in this way you will in turn be blessed.
And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:15-17