Getting a New Perspective on Life

Attitude is one of those words that is casually tossed around but is rarely defined. Let’s take a moment to make sure we are on the same page.

Have you ever been in the market for a new pair of glasses because you can’t see clearly? Vision is a pretty critical element of our lives. If you can’t see, it’s hard to do anything else. When your vision is limited or gone altogether, it’s hard to drive, walk, or avoid potential disasters lurking around the corner. 

When you visit the eye doctor, go through an eye exam, and finally receive your new glasses, it’s like the whole world has opened up again! Everything is crisper. You can see details again. You can avoid running into things. You have reduced your headaches.

Witnessing a Great Attitude Firsthand

I witnessed the importance of attitude firsthand while on a construction and medical team mission trip to Honduras. One of the tasks we were assigned there was to finish work on a vocational school and provide much-needed medical and ophthalmologist help.

During lunch, I had the opportunity to witness an older gentleman being escorted, as if he couldn’t see where he was going, into a room being used for eye exams. From my vantage point several feet away, I could see them all clearly but couldn’t hear them, which was fine since they were speaking Spanish anyway, and I just knew enough to be dangerous.

After a bit, the man shuffled out, escorted by the ophthalmologist’s son. He was led to his family, where a few things happened that left a mark on me to this day. The Hispanic gentleman pulled a white Styrofoam envelope out of his breast pocket; it held a pair of glasses. Several pairs were donated back in the states, collected up, and sent ahead of time to Honduras, where they’d be “fitted” to the right prescription.

He put them on, looked around in bewilderment, and raised his hands high toward heaven. His family marveled with their hands over their mouths. He then took off the glasses, put them back in their Styrofoam shield, placed them in his pocket, and the whole family shuffled out of the building.

We were serving as Christ’s hands and feet, giving sight to the near-blind!

Do You Need New Glasses?

A good attitude is like having new glasses for your entire life. When you have the right attitude—or rather, the right set of attitudes—you get a whole new perspective on life. More importantly, you get God’s perspective on life.

Your attitude is critical because you don’t get to choose what happens to you in life. You can change your circumstances and try to put yourself in the right situation where good things are happening, but random events happen . . . like auto accidents.

Even if you have planned and prepared to the best of your ability, life happens. People get hurt. Your best-laid plans come crashing down. And in those moments, your attitude will either make or break you.

In those moments, God can miraculously intervene. But wouldn’t it be great to live a kind of life where you see God more clearly every day? How could you adjust your attitude and perspective so you can open your life to even more God Shots?

The Apostle Paul gives us a helpful point of view and great practical advice in Philippians 4:4-9 (NIV):

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

What a great passage! I can’t think of any situation that wouldn’t be improved by following Paul’s advice to rejoice, not be anxious, pray, and set your sights on the things God finds honorable.

So today, whatever you’re going through, know that God is with you. Give over your worry and anxiety to him, and his peace will fill your heart. It’s truly like getting a new pair of glasses!

Photo by Dominika Roseclay via Pexels