The Difference Maker
June 5, 2018
I believe one of the biggest differences, the thing that separates one kind of person from another, is perspective—perspective on life, perspective on work, perspective on struggles.
The way you SEE your life SHAPES your life. But you aren’t stuck where you are. You can decide to intentionally shape your perspective instead of letting it morph into something unhealthy and unhelpful. People who don’t intentionally cultivate a positive, hopeful perspective are developing another one—one that leads to anger, depression, and a victim mentality.This other perspective is choppy and fragmented. They see life and work and hardship only in snapshots. Those snapshots are deceiving because they present moments but not reality. They only report; they can’t help develop life.
For instance, let’s think about death. If I don’t have the perspective of heaven, if I do not have a perspective of a trustworthy Father who is always leading to something good, then when my heart is broken with the death of a loved one or friend, I can really struggle. I am likely to blame God. I will ask Him rhetorical questions like, “Why didn’t you do something?” or “Why DID you do this?”(and you know those questions literally mean, “You didn’t act in the way I wanted You to, so I am not sure You are great, good, and generous.”)
You will also struggle at work if you don’t intentionally develop a productive perspective.If you are fortunate enough to be part of an organization that is trying to make a difference or do something unique that others aren’t attempting, it is going to be uphill. It will be worth it, but it won’t be easy. People who lack perspective have a tendency to overestimate how easy something is going to be, and when they hit an obstacle, they become negative and discouraged. It basically comes down to this matter of perspective and choice: Successful people are willing to do what unsuccessful people are unwilling to do.
No one has a better perspective on life and work and struggle than God.
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:17-18
Everyone has struggles. But God shows us that though we do have troubles, they are light and temporary compared to the end result and reward we have ahead of us. When we lift our eyes and deliberately, intentionally develop a perspective beyond the moment, one that believes God is our Father and He is completely trustworthy, we can live positively and with hope through any circumstance.
How you think about God defines your life. How you define your life determines your destiny. Your perspective is the ultimate influence on how you invest your time, spend your money, use your talents, and value your relationships. You can’t afford to have an inferior one.
Faith is a way at looking at life from God’s perspective. Choose faith.