Having a Good Perspective

Marcus Aurelius states, “Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth”. This captures well, how our perspectives act as the lens through which we process all information. 

Our emotions and state of mind, therefore, can easily cause us to misinterpret what we hear and see, it affects and influences our perspective. Our perspective, therefore, always remains limited to the positioning of our flesh. God offers an alternative, to rely not on our perspectives, but to take on His perspective. Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding”.

Often our perspective leaves us falling short of the promises of God. In Mark 5:35, Jesus removes people from the room in which He is about to raise the daughter of Jairus. He heard their perspective, echoed in their laughter, as He declared that the girl, which they had declared dead, was simply sleeping. Jesus was offering a new perspective, one which seemed impossible to those who were left trusting their own level of understanding. Only those accepting His perspective, was privileged enough to see Him do the impossible. 

When we take on the perspective of God, we align our perspective with His Word. 

For instance, when we feel like someone does not deserve our forgiveness, His Word gives us a different view (Col. 3:13), when we feel afraid His Word shines a light, on the reason we should no longer be afraid (2 Tim. 1:7) and when we feel things are not going our way His Word offers context to why we should remain thankful (Heb. 12:28).

With time, our hearts and minds shift, and our perspective changes. Our mind becomes renewed, and we can see life through the lens and perspective of God and walk in His will (Rom. 12:2-3). At times this will feel difficult, but the Word encourages us to continue in our pursuit of seeking His perspective (Gal. 6:9).