Shifting Your Perspective
We all face seasons in our life when situations we face are not what we planned. Not at all what we had in mind. They are anything but welcomed. Circumstances we didn’t choose.
But what if your breakthrough doesn’t come from a change in situation — but a change in perspective?
In this Christ Gives Hope podcast episode called Shifting the Lens: How a Small Change in Perspective Can Brighten Your Outlook, I explore how choosing to see through a new lens — a faith-filled lens — can change the way you view your situation.
We talk practical shifts, Biblical truth, and one powerful question:
Can a change in your perspective help your situation; your outlook?
Listen now or continue reading below 🙂
The Power of a Perspective Shift
This is inspired by stories from two individuals whose perspective shift in their own situation changed their outlook.
I serve as a Stephen Minister, and a fellow Stephen Minister I serve alongside named Greg, had this to say when he was asked: ” Why did you become a Stephen Minister?” I absolutely loved his answer!! He said this: “As a recent cancer survivor, I know first hand that people going through tough times need support, even if it’s a listening ear.”
Even if it’s a listening ear. Wow!
Even if it’s a listening ear.
Having someone truly listen to you – listen to you without judgment, listen to you without condemnation, listen without telling you what to do – can be incredibly supportive and helpful. And over time, having someone truly be that listening ear, it can help you change your perspective towards the situation you are facing.
Because that situation? You may not have control over it. You may not be able to control it at all. And that situation just like we touched on in the beginning, is not what you had planned. It’s not what you have in mind. It is not at all welcomed! And it’s certainly not a circumstance you would have chosen.
But having someone listen to you, almost like a wise mentor, when you just want to be heard can be that support you long for.
If you’re on that listening side, it’s important to not judge. When you are going through something tough and you feel like – ‘I don’t want you to tell me what to do, I don’t want your feedback, please just hear me out. ’ Sometimes we just need someone to hear us. Without judgement. Without interjecting their opinion on what we should do.
If you find yourself facing a situation that you didn’t see coming, that you never would have chosen. When we are faced with situations like that in our life – as much as we would like to change it – or control it – we often can’t.
If you are relating to that – you can’t control it, you can’t change it: what if there’s a different way to perceive it? A different perspective you can take?
And you can ask – you can ask in prayer – ”Lord, please show me – is there a different perspective I should have? Is there a different way I can view this, that I can think about this? Can You show me the good? You say You work all things for good just like you promise in Romans 8:28.”
Is there a different perspective that I currently do not see?
Faith-Fueled Perspective in Real Life
A friend of mine was recently explaining to me – she has three kids and they each go to different schools. And it’s a lot of driving! We’re in Central Florida and it’s such a busier area than what I am used to in Michigan. My husband and I have this joke we kinda laugh about (it’s good to laugh!) because it takes 20 minutes to get anywhere! Even if you’re 5 miles away. The amount of cars! Needless to say, I have learened some patience driving here.
Anyway, we’re in a busy area. And my friend, she has three different school drop-off locations in the morning. And it has changed a lot of her weekday, Monday through Friday schedule. She spends a lot of her time in the car.
Her honest, real converstation about it, inspired this entire topic! She told me even though it was not her first choice driving to 3 different schools each morning, she said she had gained a different perspective on it.
Instead of focusing on all the time in the car, and the inconveniences it brings, she chose to focus on the blessings in it.
Her different perspective on it was this: she said it has given her time with each one of her kids, one-on-one , that she normally doesn’t have. So what a blessing it actually is, she told me, even though she’s kind of driving all around, it gave her precious one-one-one time.
What a perspective shift.
Your situation may not be the same, you might not be dropping your kids off at school or practices, but is there something in your life or in the circumstances you are facing that perhaps you can have a different perspective on? A different perspective that would illuminate God’s grace? His blessing’s in it?
Just like my friend who is able to see the blessing of one-on-one time with her kids even though the situation isn’t exactly what she would have wanted?
And You can ask for that in prayer.
Ask God to help you see His grace in the midst of your situation. See His hand in the midst of your circumstances.
A shift in perspective.
And often that shift in perspective will lift a weight off.
Perspective Over Control: Learning to Look Differently
Because really, in our difficult situations, God might be carrying us through something that we cannot control.
Maybe it’s with your health, or the health of a loved one. Maybe it’s an illness or a chronic illness. Maybe it’s relationship struggles or problems. Maybe it is financial issues. Or issues with friendships, in your marriage, or with your children. Maybe there’s a big decision you have to make. A decision that seems impossible.
And these difficult situations that we cannot control? They can be so weighing. Heavy.
But seeking a different perspective on it, says: “Lord, what are You trying to teach me through this? Will You show me Your hand in this?”
“Lord, I know You are working all things for good, You are good, I know You are merciful, I know You are gracious – is there a different perspective You can show me in this situation? Help me see Your blessings in it?”
You see – a change in perspective can be completely transforming.
But it might not come quickly.
It might not come easily,
But when it does, and you’re able – by the grace of God – to view your circumstances or your situation with a different view – it can help you see God’s hand, His presence, the blessings even when they do not seem to exist.
And what happens? A Weight is lifted off. And it’s freeing.
It’s absolutely freeing!!
Sometimes the only thing God changes first… is the way we see it. 💙💙💙