Changing Our Perspective

By Doug Creamer

Have you ever hung around someone who complained about everything? Do you get tired of listening to people who act that way? There are legitimate things that might cause any of us to complain at times, but I hope you aren’t one of those who complain about everything. It seems to me that if you find yourself complaining about everything that your perspective needs to change.

I believe there are some circumstances that might cause us to struggle to keep a positive outlook on life. If your child or grandchild has been diagnosed with a serious illness, I can understand your struggle to stay positive. When divorce affects a family, whether it’s your own, your parents, or your kids, it can cause deep and lasting pain. Certainly everyone is going to be struggling when a loss occurs in the family. If your boss calls you in and tells you that you have been downsized and you are out of work, that is incredibly hard news. All these and a number of other circumstances are going to bring a period of sadness and discouragement.

Sometimes what happens is that we get so focused on our problems and circumstances that they become bigger than God. Our minds convince us that the things we are facing are impossible for God to fix and us to overcome. This contributes to feelings of discouragement, doubt, fear, and worry. It can fill our lives with stress, which leads us into feelings of being overwhelmed.

There is an old hymn that many of you will remember that will help in those kinds of moments. The chorus goes like this: “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.” We have allowed our eyes to become so focused on the circumstances of life that we have forgotten about the greatness of our God and our wonderful Savior. We forget that God cares. We forget that God knows every detail. We forget that He can still do the impossible today for us!

I found myself focusing on my circumstances this week. I really don’t like admitting to that, but it’s true. I got alone with the Lord and instead of listening to Him, I complained. I listed my problems and concerns. Do you think I felt better? Nope. I needed to listen. It took me a few minutes and then I heard this whisper in my spirit: count your blessings. I couldn’t see any blessings because I was too focused on my circumstances. He waited patiently for me.

After a few minutes, I named a couple. Nothing changed. He encouraged a few more. I thought for a moment and then gave Him a few more. Something started to happen inside. I named a few more. I started to feel better. I listed several more. My mind focused on Jesus and all He has done for me and I truly became thankful. In a few short minutes my focus turned onto Jesus and not my circumstances and I started feeling better. Please note that my circumstances had not changed, only my focus had. I was looking at the God who always comes through for me. I was looking at, thanking, and praising the God of the impossible.

I heard a doctor say once that thanksgiving or being thankful makes it difficult for your brain to be anxious, worried, and stressed. It changes our attitude, giving us hope that maybe things will work out. Then once we can believe in the God of the impossible we open the doors of faith. Our brains will begin to work with us to help us through our circumstances until we overcome them. It starts with us changing our focus.

As a teacher, I want to give you some homework. I want to encourage you to do the thing that I did that helped to change my focus. I want to encourage you to count your blessings. Each day for the next week take a few minutes and thank God for ten things in your life. They can be people, situations, areas of favor from God, things you own, spiritual things, your job or retirement, and your family. Start by reading Psalm 103 verses 1 to 5, where you will discover five ways God has blessed you. Once you start the ball rolling, I believe you will come up with so many more ways that God has truly blessed you. It is a great way to begin and end your day. Count your blessings one by one.

Contact Doug Creamer at PO Box 777, Faith, NC 28041or doug@dougcreamer.com