Changing Perspectives

Changing perspectives

Every single day, every single one of us, especially those who know God or are getting to know ourselves through God, are going through this battle with ourselves and each other. That being said, there is also a very real battle outside. Once you begin to know yourself, and see others through God, you take off the naïve glasses that you once wore and begin to see yourself and others as the sinful humans that we are. You also begin to recognize when satan has a hold of someone. [1Peter 5:8-11-“8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.”]
We all start out being of the world, whole heartedly and willingly, knowing no alternative. At the time, it seems perfectly harmless to go along with all the laughter, jokes, comments, sarcastic banter, and be among the clique or the cool crowd. And then one day, something happens to make you reflect on your life a little deeper than all the surface stuff. It no longer matters what you wear, or drive, or who you hang with, or look like or talk like. It just seems as if you are constantly living for other people who really don’t care about you as a human being. You realize that most everyone has a hidden agenda that has nothing to do with you or yours.

My deepest reflection occurred when my sister passed away in a car accident. It was at that point that I began to look for answers. Each book I read led me to the ultimate book. I started with “There’s a Spiritual Solution to Every Problem.” That was the pivotal book that led me to read God’s Word. To that point, I only knew what people said about the bible. I only heard the misconceptions and worldly quotes that stemmed from the bible, not even knowing that the world took those quotes and made them a part of our world. I learned the truth, the light and the way from prayer, reading the bible and listening to various sermons. I gained insight into how I thought and behaved and how much I needed to break down my weaknesses and rebuild my character. It doesn’t happen instantly, it is a gradual process and it takes a lot of time to make changes internally and at the same time adjust your external life to fit with your new beliefs. [1 Peter 5:6-7-“6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.“]

When you make changes to how you think and behave, it is obvious to the world around you. You no longer laugh at comments made about others. You no longer join in sexual innuendo or crude comments that others find harmless. You may even feel the need to distance yourself from the very people with which you have formed relationship. It is almost impossible to go to lunch with people who smile at you from across the table while stabbing you in the back. The behavior repulses you, not the people. You actually have pity on those who persecute you because you see satan leading them, the dark world being their master, not God. You begin to recognize that you lived as a hypocrite and no longer wish to participate. You will be questioned, talked about, ostracized, criticized, and likely singled out as a trouble maker. After all, they assume you know too much and if you are not joining in then you become a potential threat. Trust me, doing the right thing… especially trying to be the right thing in God’s eyes, is a constant improvement process. It isn’t all glorious and simple, but it is worth every cell in my body to continue along the right path in love and truth, than to be and do what I once was and did.

Initially, you may do as I did and be repulsed by the person as well as the behavior… but after a while you learn to be more Christ-like and love the person, sympathize with them, but hate the sin. That was a tough one for me to learn and understand. I finally understood it, when I read Henry W. Longfellow’s quote: “If we could read the secret history of our enemies, we should find in each man's life sorrow and suffering enough to disarm all hostility.”

I only needed to remember my own history and how I kept it hidden from others. I told myself how much differently they would behave if only they knew. Then I realized how many women I knew who had been molested or abused as a child. I would never have known had they not told me. However, after knowing the truth of their history, I could draw definite parallels between their history and certain behaviors. Reading His Word, I understood my hypocrisy. It is easy to play the saint with easy people such as friends, family and co-workers. It is not easy to love the unlovable, evil doers, lost souls or fools. [Matthew 5: 43-48-“ 43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor[a] and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”] While it isn’t easy, it is a true picture of who I should be as a Christian.

Don’t get me wrong, there are those that will suck the life out of you and try to use your good nature, or Christian nature as a way to use you up. You don’t have to give your soul to someone else, or all of your time to those who do nothing for themselves. Simply be the example, be the light, learn and grow and pray about it. Plant a seed and move past it. But never allow the poison to enter into you by staying in darkness or around it. It is a very delicate balancing act that you will become better at with prayer. Be the light for those who need you to be. Take the opportunity to shine the light in dark places so to lift up those that God has called. He will do the rest in them. [Mark 2:17- 17 On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”]

Believers, true believers, don’t just say it is so and do nothing. They strive to do the work in themselves and become the best that they can be in all things. I come from the bottom of the barrel, but God has been able to mold me and use me in ways that I may never see the fruit of. He can and will use those who turn to Him. Never judge those that struggle with sin because you never know what God is doing inside them.

So, you see… we are constantly struggling and at war with satan and worldly ways. But please keep in your heart, we are not at war with each other… we must distance ourselves from those who are not healthy for us in our lives, and yet be close enough to make a difference and set an example. But of all things, pray for guidance in all situations and the Holy Spirit will give you the words to say.