I’m sure you would agree that in today’s world we need a healthy perspective if we are going to not only survive but thrive. The comfort and encouragement of others will only take us so far. We need to make some semblance of sense of our world.
Encarta’s World English Dictionary defines perspective as:
1) a particular evaluation of something
2) a measured or objective assessment of a situation
The most reliable source for perspective is God’s Word.
So often we struggle in life because we are viewing life from a skewed perspective. The most reliable source of objectivity is God’s Word. The Bible is the basis upon which our situations must be measured or evaluated.
Sometimes, however, we can know the truth in our heads but it doesn’t always sink deep into our hearts and manifest itself in our reactions and decisions.
What will help get truth from our heads to our hearts during times of crisis?
repeated exposure to truth
God tells us to meditate on Him and His Word so that with repeated exposure, through His Spirit, the truth begins to take root not only in our heads but also in our hearts. 40 Day Challenges are usually rooted in this understanding of what it takes to drive truth home.
deliberate choices regardless of feelings
Sometimes it comes down to making a deliberate, conscientious choice to pattern what we do after the Lord regardless of our feelings or personal bents. Perspective requires assessment against an objective standard, not simply going with the flow or with what “feels” right. At no time should we hide behind our personalities or conditioning as an excuse to stay where we are or sin. Healthy perspective is rooted in God and His Word, not in us. When our perspective is patterned after Him, He doesn’t eradicate what is uniquely us. Rather, He transforms it into something even better. When we act on what we know to be true, regardless of feelings, we see God’s faithfulness which helps to generate a heart response.
If you need help gaining perspective, perhaps some of the books listed below will help. Clicking on a title will take you to our affiliate store where you can learn more about the book.
- A Grace Disguised by Gerald Sittser
- Disappointment with God by Philip Yancey
- If God Is Good . . . Faith in the Midst of Suffering and Evil by Randy Alcorn
- Looking Up When Life is Looking Down by Beth Moore
- Second Guessing God: Hanging On When You Can’t See His Plan by Brian Jones
- Shattered Dreams: God’s Unexpected Path to Joy by Larry Crabb
- Where is God When It Hurts? by Philip Yancey
- Why? Trusting God When You Don’t Understand by Anne Graham Lotz
If you are a Bible Teacher, help your students gain perspective. The worksheet, Crisis Strikes, gives you a few tips on how to help students turn to the Lord with their anxieties. You can be instrumental in helping them not only survive but thrive.
If you struggle with objectively assessing situations, download the free 40 Day Challenge to Maintaining a Healthy Perspective.
I am called into the ministry as a priest. My spiritual gifts are many, but helping others according to God’s words is the strongest gift. I’m searching God’s Wisdom in Christian Counseling. Thank you for doing the will of God.
Minister Gross, God and His Word certainly is the best help we can point people to as we come alongside of them. If you go to the People Helping Ministry Resources page, you’ll find a ‘Counseling’ tab. Under that you will find a list of articles and books that can be of help to you in Christian Counseling. For even more, you might want to check out the organization listed under that tab, the American Association of Christian Counselors.