Life is often so uncertain, and there are many places where we can choose to put our trust. We can seek the security of money, find comfort in the warmth of friends, or be energized by the hope of the future. However, the best thing we can ever do is to place our faith in God. The benefits of doing life with Jesus are incomparable; one of them is that we learn to see things from His point of view. In this article, I point out that being rooted in God enables us to keep things in perspective and keep moving forward.
Some years ago, I was following an online course when an interesting concept came up. In the course notes the author explained how selective perception ends up perpetuating stereotypes, because people are less likely to notice events that go against our beliefs. Basically, the way we choose — or have been conditioned — to see the world tends to reinforce previously existing biases.
The course writer gave this example to show how selective perception works:
A common stereotype is that men drive better than women. Because a person believes that men drive better than women, that person may be more likely to notice women driving poorly than men driving poorly. As a result, a stereotype is maintained because information to the contrary may not reach our brain.
I have definitely witnessed this phenomenon!
In our culture, we often describe this as people “taking and leaving” information. We sometimes say, “He only sees what he wants to see;” or, “She only hears what she wants to hear.” We use these handy expressions to point out a person’s habitual way of thinking – whether positive or negative.
The tendency not to notice events that go against our beliefs can show up in any area of our lives. We are less likely to notice the good things about ourselves if we don’t believe they exist. We are less likely to find joy in living if we believe the world is all doom and gloom. We are going to be hopeless if we don’t believe there is reason to hope. And, certainly, we’ll be unable to accomplish anything if we don’t think we can.
Have Faith in God and His Word
Indeed, the way we see ourselves can sometimes cause us to behave as though we’re insignificant or unimportant. The result is a life lived in mediocrity. However, if we believe that we are made in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:27), we will be able to see the good in us and in everyone else.
If we believe that “The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, and He adds no sorrow with it (Proverbs 10:22),” then we will always have that kind of joy the old saints talked about – God’s great joy! The kind that “the world didn’t give and the world can’t take away. This is not to say that we will always be happy, but that we have faith that trouble won’t last always.
If we believe that “if God is for us then who can be against us (Romans 8:31),” then we can walk through the proverbial “valley[s] of the shadow of death and fear no evil (Psalm 23:4).” If we believe that God will “supply all [our] needs according to His richness in glory (Philippians 4:19),” then we suffer no anxiety because we understand that we lack nothing. If we believe that we “can do all things through Christ who strengthens [us] (Philippians 4:13),” then we realize that our victory is guaranteed!
You get the point.
The simple truth is that we were created to be extraordinary. Whether or not you ever see that greatness manifested in your life is based on this one thing: What do you believe? Do you really have faith in God? Furthermore, do you believe what He says about you?
See Yourself the Way God Sees You
If we don’t have faith in God and His sovereignty, we won’t truly be able to see His hand at work in our lives or the lives of those around us. When we doubt God, it is impossible to walk the path He’s set out for us. Doubt will never get us where God is calling us to be. Only faith can do that.
These prayerful song lyrics are credited to Bishop Paul S. Morton: “Help me to see me the way you see me. Sometimes I see pain, Lord, when you see victory. I see where I am, Lord; but, You see where I shall be. Open my eyes, help me believe I am what You see (I Am What You See, 2008).”
As part of a social experiment, in 2007 the Washington Post newspaper arranged Joshua Bell, the internationally acclaimed violin virtuoso, to perform in a corner of the Metro station in Washington DC. The violin he was playing was worth $3.5 million, and tickets for Bell’s concerts usually cost around $100. During the rush hour in which he played for 45 minutes, only one person recognized him, only a few realized that they were hearing extraordinary music, and he made only $32 in tips.
If you saw someone playing an instrument by the roadside, would you expect them to be extraordinary? How about when you consider yourself – despite your environment or circumstances, do you expect to be extraordinary?
We often see ourselves like those people saw Joshua Bell, the violinist. We see ourselves in lack, without ability, average. But God sees us for our true selves. The truth of Joshua Bell was beyond what everyone thought he was! They couldn’t have begun to imagine the kind of greatness they were bearing witness to.
Likewise, the truth of who we are in God is so extraordinary that the natural eye can’t perceive it; and, without God’s help, we won’t be able to even begin to comprehend it.
Wrap-up
It’s only when we have faith in God that we can live as He called us to and see His promises made known in our lives. Today, choose to believe what God says about you. Take a verse from Bishop Morton and declare: “I am healed, I am free, I am what you see.”
Better yet, meditate on the truth of scripture and proclaim:
“For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold From those who walk uprightly. O Lord of hosts, Blessed is the man who trusts in You!
I pray this article encourages you and shifts your perspective for the best. Be encouraged~
Read next: 10 Ways to Increase Your Faith in God (Free Printable)
