Perspective
Philippians 4:13 is a popular, well-known bible verse. I have heard it most of my life, have family and friends with it tattooed on their bodies, decorative signs throughout their homes and office spaces. It is a great reminder that when we have the Lord in our hearts, we “can do all things though him” because He is our solid foundation, the rock on which we stand.
One morning I was reading my daily devotional and this verse was a part of the daily reading. What I had never really paid attention to, and I know I have read it multiple times, are the two verses before Philippians 4:13. You see, reading the two verses before one of the most popular verses, changed my perspective on the meaning of the 13th verse. It explains in more depth of what it truly means to be able to do all things through him.
“Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me”- Philippians 4:11-13.
In our journey to become parents, I spent most of my time focusing on my personal perspective, my timeline, my end game results instead of taking a step back and looking at our situation from God’s perspective. It wasn’t until I completely hit rock bottom and had nothing left to lose that I turned to Christian music and prayer and really leaned into God and His plans for me and my family. We had experienced so many highs and lows, peaks and valleys that I finally learned that having a different perspective and outlook on my life was exactly what was needed and God’s way of allowing me to release control of our situation and let his perspective shine through. Looking back now, I can tell you when my perspective shifted away from myself and focused more on God’s perspective.
Now this is just one scenario of how shifting my perspective with my faith and trust in the Lord brought about changes that were unexpected. We are all faced with opportunities daily to take a look at our personal perspectives and how we perceive someone else’s perspective. This can be a simple thing like where to go for dinner or the color to paint your living room walls. It can be a low moment or a high moment, plenty or hunger, abundance or need. In today’s culture it is easy to close your heart and mind to someone and unfriend them, degrade them, etc due to their perspective on things. Is this what God wishes we do as His children? No. God wants us to love one another as He loves us. When you are open to new and differing perspectives, you are demonstrating your faith and trust in the Lord and showing you are able to do all things through Him as He gives you strength to know what is right from wrong.
My challenge for you today and every day is to allow yourself to release control of daily situations and allow yourself to be open to others’ perspective. You never know, you might end up liking that Thai food or that bright purple living room wall more than you ever imagined!
XOXO
Megan
