What’s Your Perspective?

What’s Your Perspective? 
written by Chris Baker

What does your typical prayer sound like? Is it just a bunch of requests to God? Are you explaining to God how you think things should go? How often do you thank Him in prayer? Is thanksgiving a normal part of your prayer life? Thanksgiving is often a matter of perspective.

One day I was helping my dear friend Bill launch a boat in North Wildwood, NJ. Just as we were ready to leave the boat yard, we noticed something peculiar. The trailer was leaning very far to one side. Bill and I got out of the truck, walked to the leaning side of the trailer, and found the problem. You might have guessed it; we had a flat tire. Now some may have been frustrated by the flat. After all, we had a schedule to keep and this flat would set us back at least a half hour or more. Bill on the other hand exclaims, “Praise Jesus!”

 “What in the world is he excited about?” I thought. 

Bill said, “Bud, the Lord is really looking out for us.” 

“How do you figure?” I asked. 

He explained, “If we would have gotten this flat on the way, we could have rolled the whole trailer and totaled the boat!” 

Bill taught me something important that day, perspective makes a huge difference!  Are you going to get upset about the inconvenience of a flat, or look for the blessing of where the flat occurred? It is the same with our spiritual lives, sometimes we need to change our perspective. Take a moment and read Colossians 4:2-6 by clicking here. We talked about being devoted to prayer in Monday’s post here, and being watchful in prayer in yesterday’s post here. I would go back and read these, if you have not done so already. 

Thanksgiving is a choice just like any other. We can approach God with thanksgiving and shift our perspective. Perhaps you are upset about something when you begin to pray. Which, by the way, is ok; We can approach the Lord just as we are. There is no point in trying to fake it because He knows what is truly in your heart anyway. If you are mad, be mad; if you are upset, then be upset! However, we do not have to remain in that state! Remember, thanksgiving is a choice. 

It is often helpful to read or quote Scriptures about thanksgiving to help us shift our focus. “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever” (1 Chronicles 16:34). We can give thanks for the Lord’s enduring love! “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). The Lord’s will is for us to be in a spirit of thanksgiving. Perspective has a great deal to do with your outlook on life. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7). Exchange your anxious thoughts for the divine peace of God, peace that doesn’t even make sense. The Lord’s peace can calm any situation. Peace like that is worthy of thanksgiving! 

These are just a few passages that deal with thanksgiving. We can always be thankful because of Jesus and the salvation we have in Him. In Christ, we have the promise of eternal life! Try asking the Lord to change your perspective. Explain to Him how you currently view the situation and ask Him to give you His outlook on it. We have the opportunity to commune with the living God, so be raw, real, and honest with Him. Seek the Lord today and ask Him for a thankful heart. Approach the throne of grace with humility and come before your heavenly Father as you are!

“Lord, help us to view the world as you see it. Help us to love those who may be difficult to love. Help us to be patient and caring to all those who may come into our path today.  Lord, help us to be thankful by reminding us of all the things that we have to be thankful for. Help us, shift our focus. See the desires of our hearts today and help us to be thankful, even when we do not see anything to be thankful for. Jesus, we seek your help and ask for a fresh outlook on life. In Jesus Name! Amen.” 

This weeks sermon will focus on the remainder of Colossians 4:2-6. Stay tuned!

Please click here, to learn more about beginning a relationship with Jesus.