Perspective matters. 

What do you think about that statement?

I’ve heard that statement, and it has increasingly helped me to gain a better attitude when I’m working through a troubling situation.

The best perspective for me is to focus on God to gain His eternal perspective.  When I do that, my focus changes and even the difficult tasks have a different perspective with eternal value.

As a follower of Jesus Christ, His forgiveness of my sins changed my life. I went from being condemned, eternally separated from God my Creator, to the guarantee of being in the everlasting presence of His Son, Jesus.

As a result of that transition, everything I say and do should have the goal of honoring Jesus. No matter what situation I find myself, my desire should be to exalt the name of Jesus Christ. That is the best perspective I can have. 

I find that praising Christ changes something within me for the positive. But God knows that is not always what happens with me, as well intentioned as I may be. I don’t always stop to praise my great God, and to pray for His help.

But God extends His mercy and grace daily. 

Lamentations 3:22-23 states: “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

James 4:6 states: “But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

Due to God’s mercy and grace we can regain our focus and perspective when we stray from focusing fully on the Lord.

What might cause us to lose our eternal perspective?

Doubt – Doubt is a tool of Satan, the Christ follower’s enemy. Jesus is not offended by our doubt. When Thomas doubted Him, Jesus met Thomas in his doubt and brought him around to faith.

John 20:24-28: Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!””

Fear – Another tactic of the enemy is planting seeds of fear into our minds. Numerous times in the Bible God tells us not to be afraid. Why can we turn our fear to faith? We can do this because Jesus conquered death and our enemy, Satan, when He went to the cross and rose from the dead. 

The Amplified Version states this about fear in 2 Timothy 1:7: “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control].”

Self – Placing too much emphasis on ourselves, rather than focusing on the Lord and others.

Romans 12:3 states: “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.”

Trials – When we are struggling with situations that press us beyond our comfort zone, we can be inclined to forget to look to God for His help. But God is at work purifying our hearts, and working to help us to focus on Him. That focus makes all the difference in how I handle myself in my trials.

James 1:2- 5 states: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”

Illness – Illness weakens us, and is another cause for us to focus more on ourselves than on God. Illness is a form of a trial, so the same verses apply. We need to be aware that when we are in a physically weakened state that we are increasingly susceptible to take on a wrong perspective.

When we consider our week, was our perspective more God-centered with eternity in mind, or more self and worldly centered? How might we become more centered on God?

Begin with establishing a relationship with the living God through Jesus. Follow this with spending time in the Bible on a daily basis. Ask God for a friend who can help you grow in your relationship with Jesus. Spend time thanking Him for the many blessings experienced each day. Praise Him for who He is – the Supreme God, the One and Only living God, and for many other aspects of His character. Become involved in a local Bible believing, Bible teaching gathering of believers.

I’d be glad to talk with you about this further, or to talk about anything else that might be troubling you.

Please contact me at: ButGodCares@gmail.com.

Living for Jesus, Donna

P.S. If this has helped you, please share it with others!

Note: If the verses for Bible references do not appear when you hover over them, go directly to the website, and they should appear for you. Also, please remember to look at the full context of the verses by reading the complete passage.

Copyright 2025 Donna Shappy   All rights reserved.  No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means – electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other – without the prior permission of the author.