By: Tresa Walker
With the new year, we often make a plan for a new start – a resolution for a new or better life. But no matter how hard we try, we often fall right back into old habits, and those New Year’s resolutions are tossed like worn out socks. Instead of resolutions, maybe we need a new perspective. Resolutions focus on what I can “do”; perspective focuses on how I “view” things.
I met a young lady this week who is going through an extremely difficult time after being displaced by a hurricane. Her young children are in Michigan with their grandmother. Her husband is on the road driving a truck trying to make a living. While they wait on FEMA funding, she has relocated to a shelter in our little town and is searching for a job. Everything about her situation could cause bitterness and despair, but she is choosing to praise God through the storm and seeking His will for her life. She has a glass is half full attitude rather than focusing on how much is gone. It is truly all about perspective!
God is bigger than any problems we are currently face or may experience this year! Faith allows us to have a positive perception even in the worst of times. We must be careful to keep our focus on God and not focus on the circumstances, then we can find true peace in the midst of the storms that rage.
So, how do I change my perspective? How do I keep my focus on Him?
Read God’s Word daily to shed some light on His perspective. – “Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.” Psalm 119:105 HCSB
Remind yourself that God loves you and His compassion never fails. -“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV
Reflect on God’s deliverance in the past. – “He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along.” Psalms 40:2 NLT
Be purposefully thankful and praise Him. – “But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me.” Psalms 13:5-6 NIV
Pray – “Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” Philippians 4:6 HCSB
Rely on God. – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; think about Him in all your ways, and He will guide you on the right paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6 HCSB
Unfortunately, there are no guarantees the new year will be perfect or even better than last year, but even when our circumstances are far from what we had hoped, God is faithful and good! Stop worrying about what you can do to fix the situation, and let God. Instead of focusing on the problem, turn your attention to God’s love and those previous times that He rescued you. The situation may not dissipate or even improve, but a new perspective and continued faith can help you survive the storm!
