No doubt it’s happened to you too: a shift of life-circumstances occurs in an instant and suddenly your world is shattered. Maybe it’s a job transfer or termination. Maybe it’s the break-up of a long-term relationship or marriage. Maybe it’s an accident or life-altering medical diagnosis. Your thoughts wrap around the event and its consequences with such ferocity, you can think of nothing else.
We know focusing on “what ifs” and “if only-s” is counter-productive. And as people of faith we know God has our best interests at heart. But we hurt, and we wonder what God is up to.
The next time cataclysmic circumstances overtake me, I want to be better prepared, starting with a new perspective. I want to view obstacles as opportunities:
“What is the difference between an obstacle and an opportunity?
Our attitude toward it.
Every opportunity has a difficulty,
And every difficulty has an opportunity.”
–J. Sidlow Baxter
(pastor, theologian, author, 1903-1999)
The trouble is, attitudes are not easily adjusted. How do we change our perspective? Perhaps such strategies as these will prove helpful:
- Be intentional about word choices.
We can call our situations opportunities as Reverend Baxter suggests. Challenges are adventures as we live out God’s plan for this circumstance. And we can change the D of Disappointment to an H for His appointment*—an appointment to learn, grow, and mature (James 1:2-4).
- Consider the circumstances from God’s point of view.
According to Charles Spurgeon, what seems a crushing burden to us is a matter of small dust to God. I need to focus on how great he is compared to the smallness of my problem.
(“Great is our Lord and mighty in power,”
His understanding has no limit.”
–Psalm 147:5)
Such scriptures need to be front and center, posted in attention-grabbing places like inside the refrigerator, on the steering wheel, or in the sock drawer.
- Let purpose impact perspective.
When our daughter was in high school, she joined the track team one spring. Heather never won a single race. But she didn’t consider herself a loser, because instead of running against the competition, she ran against the clock. Every tenth of a second she shaved off her time, she considered herself a winner. Her purpose for running was not to become a track star; it was simply to be with friends and get a good work out. Her purpose impacted her perspective.
God has purpose in our circumstances—to produce tremendous benefit in our lives and in the lives of those around us. We can choose to embrace his purpose (even though we may not know what it is) and allow it to impact our perspective.
- Look for the blessings.
(“When I am in the cellar of affliction
I always look about for the Lord’s choicest wine.”
–Samuel Rutherford–
pastor, theologian, author, 1600-1661)
Rutherford wasn’t referring to material blessings, although God certainly bestows those, even in the midst of pain or trouble. The Lord’s “choicest wines” include his peace (Isaiah 26:3) and joy (Psalm 16:11) that defy explanation as difficulties assault.
But, we must look about. Will the blessing arrive through a special scripture or other reading? Perhaps through a song or the comment of a friend? The possibilities are endless because our God is infinitely creative. Our part is to be attentive.
- Focus on God himself (Isaiah 41:10).
By his power the whole universe functions as a cohesive whole. Out of his infinite wisdom, every creature is provided for. And because of his loving compassion, every person may enjoy eternal life through his Son, Jesus. God is able to do all things! He will not fail to see us through all our troubles (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).
One of the first explorers to sail around the southern tip of Africa experienced whipping winds and driving rain during that portion of the voyage. He named the area Cape of Storms.
When Vasco de Gama traversed the same promontory in 1497, he renamed it Cape of Good Hope. His focus was not on the turbulent waters under and around his ship but the treasures of India ahead.
Vasco de Gama
In life, we can focus on the storms of difficulty and pain. Or, we can center our hearts and minds on the life of good hope Jesus provides here and now, as well as look ahead to the glorious eternity of heaven.
The choice of perspective is ours. Will we choose to view our challenges as obstacles or opportunities?
_____________________________
What helps you achieve or maintain a positive perspective when adversity strikes? Please join the conversation in the comment section below!
* His Imprint, My Expression, Harvest House Publishers, 1993.
(Art & photo credits: www.wikimedia.com; http://www.pinterest.com (2); http://www.pixabay.com; http://www.azquotes.com; http://www.youtube.com; http://www.wikimedia.com (2).
From the Inside Out 
A great post about focus! I hear about this kind of stuff from motivational speakers a lot, but you take such a refreshing Biblical approach to the topic – much more nourishing than the typical motivational fare. Thanks so much for this post.
Thank you for your kind words, Russell. I’m thinking the greatest motivational speaker of them all is God himself! His Word encourages, sustains, and strengthens. Where would we be without it?!
Great reminder that for the redeemed; even in times of sorrow and pain, our lot is still better than most. I will no doubt be singing “When peace like a river, attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say It is well, it is well, with my soul.” Thank you Nancy
That hymn is one of my favorites, and the story behind it certainly speaks to today’s topic of perspective. Thank you, John, for reminding me!
Thank you, Nancy, for this insightful post. We talk about our need for wisdom and perspective in the Counseling Room all of the time. I love how clearly you delineate that our perspective (whether we choose to trust God in a situation or not) is reflected by our choices. Well done!
Thank you, Kathie. You have my permission to remind me of my only choice(to trust God knows what he’s doing) the next time trouble comes knocking!
Nancy, this is a great article. With your permission, I would like to retype it and share it with the Encouragers group. I feel it would be very inspirational and helpful to them as they are trying to cope with their grief. Great advise, as usual! Thank you.
Thank you, Ruth. By all means, feel free to share with the Encouragers group. I consider it an honor!
Nancy, I am always inspired by these round ups of the faith–so good! What helps me when challenges come my way? Something a retreat speaker shared once from Hannah Whitall Smith: “God, come and get your glory!” Because our trials comes to make us different people and to make our God look good.
Love that powerful, perspective-changing proclamation from Hannah Whitall Smith–and it’s just six words! Thank you, Jody. You are so right: trials come to make us different people and to make our God look good. Love that wise statement, too!
Hi Nancy,
Yes, these are the times to try men’s souls. How many dreams and plans fail because we doubt what the Lord has for us? I pray that we do know the difference between a yes and a no, a stop and a go.
Thanks,
Gary
A wise prayer for all of us, Gary: to know the difference between yes and no, a stop and go. Sounds like the beginnings for a poem!
There you go.
I like your suggestion about being intentional about our word choice. IF we listen to ourselves we often see the obstacles don’t we? I do find though when hit by a sudden change to give myself some grace at first to grieve and let go, lick my wounds, then pick up and get the positive point of view. God is good!
You are so right: we must sow grace for ourselves when tragedy strikes. Then, just as you say, pick up and get the positive point of view. Or, as Paul would say, “press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called [us] heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:14)!
Nancy, my family has been (and still is) going through some turmoil this year. What the Holy Spirit has been telling me is ““Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” (Psalm 46:10) By doing this (and it is NOT easy) I believe that I have taken the opportunity to listen and wait. There were (and are) still tears of frustration, but I know that God was and is in control of it all. He has the end game! Your blog was wonderful and reinforced God’s strength in my weakness.
Thank you for sharing your poignant testimony, Cheri. Praise God, He is your anchor, holding you fast through the storm! And praise God he used this post to minister to you. I am highly honored!