Perspective
Perspective is a vital part of the walk of faith. Perspective is defined as ones point of view, belief or opinion. It is very important that we have the same point of view as God has about our life, our children and our situations. I am not saying it is easy to see things as God sees them, it will take practice but it can be accomplished.
Jesus only did what He saw the Father do – He only said what He heard the Father say – He was in continual agreement with God’s perspective. Do you recall when Jesus was telling the disciples all that He would suffer and eventually die in Matthew 16? If so, you will remember how Peter said ‘no way is this going to happen to You, Jesus.’ Jesus replied ‘Get behind me Satan; you are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God but the things of men.’
I have read this scripture many times, but today I read it in a different translation and it shed a whole new light – in the New Living Translation it says ‘Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view and not from God’s.’ The Jewish Bible states it like this; Get behind me Satan! You are an obstacle in my path, because your thinking is from a human perspective and not from God’s perspective.’
We can see from these two translations – when we see things from a natural or man’s point of view – or perspective, it is an obstacle and a dangerous trap. It was a difference in perspective that caused the ten spies to return to Moses with a bad report, while Joshua and Caleb declared in faith ‘we are well able to overcome and possess the land.’ The ten saw from man’s perspective, which became an obstacle to them and they never entered into the Promised Land and it was certainly a dangerous trap for them to speak out of their mouth because it sealed their fate forever.
Perspective is vital in the Kingdom of God. How you see things will determine much of your outcome because you will react based on what you perceive. Do you remember when Elisha asked God to open the eyes of his servant? You see, the servant was terrified because he was seeing from man’s point of view and not seeing as God sees – but God opened his eyes and he saw that there was indeed more with them than with their enemy.
You see, that is always God’s perspective -when an enemy comes against you – God always sees that there is more with you than with them. God always sees that you have the upper hand because He has the upper hand and He dwells in you. Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. The Bible even says that God sits in the heavens and laughs at the enemy because God knows the outcome – wouldn’t it be great if we simply laughed at the enemy when he came against us? We would…if we saw from God’s perspective.
God always sees you healed and whole. God always sees you prosperous and abounding to every good work. God always sees you as righteous. God sees you as victorious and triumphant because you are in Christ and Christ is in you – the question is, do you see from God’s perspective? You are who He says you are. Seek God for His perspective. Then choose to agree with it.
Great reminder! In my Christian walk I definitely feel like I have had seasons where I get God’s perspective and life is easier. When I think to much about my perspective, everything falls apart.
What a great way to put it!
I too have grappled with why God allows this & this to happen, and realized later, that He knows the greater picture.
When Jesus went to the cross, He suffered and all his disciples could see was the end of their friend…they couldn’t see at the time that what He was actually doing was dying so we could all be set free!!
I’m sure their perspective changed HUGE once He rose from the dead 😉
Thanks so much for sharing!
That is so so true Rachael! When I think of what Jesus endured so that you and I could live free lives in Him, it humbles and overwhelms me. Thank you so much for commenting!!
Oh, this is rich and valuable insight, Angel! It spoke to my heart, and I know it will speak to many others that need to hear it as well!