Do you consistently view your daily life from the right perspective? What is the correct perspective on life?
Personal perspective guides our actions, including choices and the direction in which we move. Choosing to look at life through our limited, human perspective could tempt us to invest in things that are temporarily satisfying or solve a momentary issue, but lead to eventual regret. On the other hand, choosing to view things from God’s eternal perspective allows us to view our lives as He does. For example, what may be initially perceived as an inconvenience could offer opportunity for Christian witness. What may appear as adversity could be God’s means to produce spiritual perseverance and maturity. Facing a seemingly challenging situation may be God’s provision to exercise our faith.
Could the perspective we choose actually cause us to miss God’s plan and purpose? What if you could be influenced to see a situation from an entirely different perspective with the use of one simple word?
Consider for a moment Psalm 42:5. The verse begins with the author discouraged by adversity: Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Then he chooses to make a conscience effort to turn to truth. He says to himself: Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. The Psalmist’s use of the word “yet” signifies a deliberate, personal choice to turn from a position of taking inventory of his emotions to one resting securely on truth.
Another example is found in Habakkuk 3:17-19: Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights. Even though his initial words reflected potential despair, the prophet chose to remind Himself of God’s character and promises.
Are you listening to your thoughts? What direction are they taking you? Intentional use of the word “yet” can redirect selfish or discouraging thoughts to those filled with God’s hope and promise.
