Life In Perspective!

Sometimes what we need is not so much for our circumstances to change, but for our perspective to be brought into better focus. Perhaps that is why Paul -- though he endured a wide variety of situations -- was still able to keep on rejoicing. In 2 Corinthians 11, Paul reluctantly listed many things he had endured, including a great concern for others. ( 2 Corinthians 11:23-29) Some of the things he went through were very severe and yet he would refer to his afflictions as “slight momentary” things compared to what he knew was in store for him. ( 2 Corinthians 4:16)

It was in this same letter that Paul would declare…
“I am acting with great boldness toward you; I have great pride in you; I am filled with comfort. IN ALL OUR AFFLICTION, I AM OVERFLOWING WITH JOY.” ( 2 Corinthians 7:4 ESV)

Wow! In spite of the sufferings and trials of Paul’s life, he possessed overflowing joy. Though some might focus on how bad Paul had it, he seems to have kept his focus on HOW GOOD HE HAD IT! He knew the great assurance he had in Christ and maintained a grateful spirit for the salvation and hope that were his. In comparison with others, he was well supplied. ( Philippians 4:18)

Perhaps the following that appeared some time ago in a church bulletin will help us with our perspective.

SOMEWHERE…
…a mother is trying to make up her mind whether to let a surgeon perform an operation on her only child that may take his life.
…a man whose son didn’t come home last night is walking through a door marked “City Morgue.”
…a wife whose marriage is “on the rocks” is at a party flirting with the man she knows will destroy her fidelity.
…a man is sitting in his bedroom toying with a pistol while his wife is yelling at him from the bottom of the stairs to come down and explain his recent whereabouts.
…a young woman is being wheeled into the delivery room from which she knows that mother or child, but not both mother and child, will be wheeled out.
…a tired doctor is shaking his head and says, “terminal cancer.”
…AND a “contented Christian” is lying in his warm bed, yawning and decides against attending the worship assembly this Sunday morning, because (after all) he doesn’t really have anything to be thankful for.
[original author unknown]

What does that do to our perspective regarding our own life? Can we, like Paul, say that in spite of life’s challenges we are still “overflowing with joy”? Let us not lose sight of how GOOD WE HAVE IT living a life in Christ because we have a hope that according to Romans 5:5 will not put us to shame (ESV) or disappoint us. (NKJV) May that remain key to our life perspective.

Have a great day SINCERELY ACKNOWLEDGING HOW BLESSED WE ARE!
Carl

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