Warped Perspective

So many times in this life we’re faced with things we simply don’t understand and which make no logical sense to us. Because we’re rational beings, and we are used to figuring things out with our minds, we try to do exactly that. One way we reason things through is to tap into the resource of knowledge we’ve accumulated over the years, or to look at the facts that are presented to us in a particular situation. These things all appeal to the mind and in some cases to the emotion, and for the most part we are able to make sense of a difficult situation for ourselves. But when we’re faced with something that transcends our logic and understanding, we may feel disillusioned, frustrated and even angry. We lose perspective and hope, and the enemy of our souls has us exactly where he wants us.

God’s Word tells us that the Spirit of truth will lead us into all truth. Truth and knowledge (or facts) are not necessarily the same thing. 1 Corinthians 13:8b says, ‘as for knowledge, it will pass away [it will lose its value and be superseded by truth]’. For example, I may know for a fact that a particular disease is incurable because there’s scientific evidence to support it, and yet understand the truth of God’s Word that ‘by His stripes I am healed’ (1 Peter 2:24) and that ‘nothing is impossible for God’ (Luke 18:27). This is called FAITH and it’s very powerful. Faith isn’t based upon something that’s known intellectually. Hebrews 11:1 says ‘faith is perceiving as fact what is not revealed to the senses’. It is ‘the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality’.

I’ve found in my own life that, when I feel overwhelmed by a situation and by circumstances I find myself in, I often lose perspective and can’t seem to discern the way forward. My rational mind can’t make sense of it, and I lose hope that things will turn out well. It’s in times like these that I’ve learned to lean into God even more and to familiarise myself again with what TRUTH says, asking the Holy Spirit to speak His truth to my spirit, and to remind me of what His Word says about this issue I’m facing. If I base my beliefs – what I think is truth – on knowledge and facts, and on things I gain from sources like the news, friends’ opinions and my previous experiences, it will warp my perspective.

While we’re here on this earth, we’ll always be ‘looking in a mirror that gives only a dim (blurred) reflection [of reality as in a riddle or enigma]’ (1 Corinthians 13:12). We’ll know in part and imperfectly. We’ll need to guard our hearts and minds against making assumptions about God and about His ways, based on the facts of our circumstances, and the lies the enemy would want us to believe. We’re fully known and understood by God, and He knows the end from the beginning in every situation which seems chaotic and senseless to us. Trust His heart, even if you can’t see His hand at work in your difficulty. Get God’s perspective. Choose to allow His truth to supersede your knowledge.

Prayer: Thank You, Lord, that You’re all-knowing, and that nothing catches You by surprise. Please forgive me for the many times I lean on my own understanding and knowledge to try to make sense of the things I don’t understand. I choose to trust You, Lord, and to allow the Holy Spirit to speak Your truth to my heart. Amen.