PERSPECTIVE

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart – 1 Samuel 16:7

Perspective refers to a point of view; the way one sees something. Its Latin root means “look through” or “perceive”; hence, it is similar to the word ‘Perception’. Your perspective, frame of reference, outlook, position, stand, stance, slant, standpoint, or viewpoint to anything in life will determine to a large extent how things turn out to be. Human perspectives are diverse and relative. We all have perspectives towards life, marriage, mistakes, failure, trials, politics, the future, morality, religion, eternity and even towards God. These are often packaged into ideologies, philosophies, and the various “isms”. Ultimately, only God has the Perfect Perspective! Even the Prophet Samuel almost missed it in the house of Jesse (1Sam.16). He who knows everything in-toto desires that we align with the His Perspective. Ponder on the following scriptural perspectives:

• Failure is not Falling Down, but Staying Down: For a righteous man may fall seven times and rise again…(Pro.24:16a). Moreover, Failure is a Situation, never a Person! Failure is delay, not defeat; a temporary detour, not a dead end street!

• A Stumble is not a fall. A stumble may actually prevent a fall: Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the Lord upholds him with His hand (Psa.37:24). Defeat should never be a source of discouragement, but rather a fresh stimulus to Success. Someone said: Whenever you fall, pick something up. If you do fall, try to fall forward!

• And we know that all things work together FOR good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose (Rom.8:28). Joel Osteen says: “Nothing happens TO you, it happens FOR you. See the positive in negative events” When things happen “to” you, you feel helpless and victimized. However, if you look at things as happening “for” you, then you look at the lessons and blessings (the silver linings) within anything you might experience.

• They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness (Lam.3:23). Every day is a fresh opportunity, bringing new choices: a chance at a fresh start! So, if you made a mistake yesterday, you have a choice today to do something different than you did before. If you learn from them, mistakes could often be the best teachers! Uncover the Jewels from your Mistakes.

• My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials (Jam.1:2). In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him (Eccl. 7:14). Helen Keller said: “Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see a shadow”! Sunshine and shadows co-exist; so, if you are feeling like you are overwhelmed by shadows, hold fast to hope; let optimism dispel the darkness.

• Yesterday is not yours to recover; tomorrow is yours to win or lose. The Psalmist said: My times are in Your hand… (Psa.31:15a). And there is hope in your end, says the LORD… (Jer.31:17a). Instead of lamenting over yesterdays, turn your face to the new day ahead and plan on how you can be a better version of yourself than you were yesterday.

• Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints (Psa.116:15). Loss often accentuates worth. A Native American proverb says: When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life in a manner so that when you die the world cries and you rejoice. When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure!