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| A matter of perspective |
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This morning I overslept. Annoyed with myself, I decided rather than rush to catch the 6:47 a.m. bus, I'd leave early for the 7:13 a.m. bus in order to spend some extra time in prayer while waiting in the parking lot for the later bus to arrive.....
(First Perspective) It was exceptionally foggy this morning, and as I headed south on the highway, I saw the brake lights up ahead. LOTS of them. Then...bumper to bumper traffic, stop/go/stop/go... Well how do ya like that, I thought. The one day I leave early to catch a little prayer time before the bus, there just happens to be an accident! Can you believe that? You gotta love my rotten luck!!! Well, so much for my prayer time!
(Second Perspective) It was exceptionally foggy this morning, and as I headed south on the highway, I saw the brake lights up ahead. LOTS of them. Then...bumper to bumper traffic, stop/go/stop/go... Well what do ya know about that, I thought. The one day I happen to hit heavy traffic on the way to the bus stop, I just so happened to leave early. Can you believe that? You gotta love God's providence!!! If I hadn't left early, I would have missed the bus for sure!
The above perspectives both went through my head this morning as I drove to the bus, in that order. Fortunately, the proper perspective came second and won out. My day started exceptionally well, whereas it could have just as easily started exceptionally poorly! It was all a matter of perspective!
Actually, life is like that. Our perspective, or attitude, has much to say about whether we will be a joyful believer looking forward to great things promised by our Lord, or a beleaguered believer failing to overcome the day to day trials that never end. Are my eyes on my circumstances and how they affect me, or are my eyes on my Lord, and how he has overcome my circumstances? My choice.... |
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| Thanks Overcomer, I appreciate your kind words and determination to persevere to the end. :-) |
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| Wow I can't believe I'm like only the third comment on a Mike & Laura post.... LOL. I reckon perspective and attitude say it all, so to speak. Excelent post. It was foggy all morning here in Terre Haute. Although I really look forward to those little prayer breaks in my day. |
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I love it when people are transparent and not just preachy. It takes a concentrated effort sometimes to get to the right perspective. At times I may have to replay it more than twice to get there, but I will eventually get there.
Here's a star for being real!
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If we truly believe that God is laying our path, we have no choice than to believe there are no circumstances. Every person met is an opportunity to change a life or to find a relationship or to learn, every situation is a test or a treat...this is our life as He is perfecting us into the image of His Son. That being said, it is definitely easier said than done. Especially when traffic is keping me from getting to a job site that is 3 days behind and when you get there you find that the power is out and you are missing a tool required for the task...
Our response to life is all about a matter of perspective. Not always half full or half empty, sometimes we have to deal with "have full" or "have empty"...what good is empty? Well maybe it is an indication of something you just didn't need but someone else did? So in my lack, someone was blessed? You betcha
Now I shall read what I wrote and try to apply it...haha |
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Amen Patrick, as with many things in our spiritual walk, "easier said than done." That's why I sooo appreciate when God does it for me. He doesn't do everything for me, you know, there are a lot of "thorns" in my life (things he doesn't take away, for whatever reason). But it's also good to remind ourselves that we really do have the ability to affect our own perspective!!
Thanks for the link Sue, I incorporated it right into the blog!
Birdie, if I ever sound preachy, smack me upside the head! All I wanna be is real! (And thanks for compliment and star!)
Dave, who said staying up till all hours of the night didn't have their benefits! lol |
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| Mike- Great reminder that we are to be thankful always and think on things that are good, excellent, praiseworthy... we choice our thoughts! |
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As always GOD has a plan for us and even though it seems THINGS or CIRCUMSTANCES are blocking our way or hindering us from our busy lives, GOD HAS A PLAN. It is also our attitude or perspective as to how we accept and handle the distractions.... When we truly accept the fact that he has our best interest at heart then we can accept the circumstances and do the best that we can do. A lot of days I just can't see it and I ask for his forgiveness in giving in to the mess. But THANK GOD he continues to remind me, nudge me, push me in his direction. I thank the HOLY SPIRIT for pulling me out of the fog and letting me know that he is still there. We are humans but we are also HEIRS TO THE THRONE and as such, should act accordingly. Easier said than done sometimes, but I strive to reach that goal everyday.
Thanks Mike |
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Mary, thank you, it is great to hear your perspective! To remember that we are co-heirs with Christ, and that God certainly has a plan carefully laid out for each of us, is to maintain a proper perspective on life!!
Thanks Jeff, your comments are deeply appreciated brother! |
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Glenn |
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December 12, 2007 at 9:02am |
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Mike, I have found myself in the same circumstances many times. I usually spend the time sitting in traffic to pray and praise God. It seems that getting my eyes off of myself and my situation, releaves the stress and pressure of the circumstances. I guess my perspective would be turn your eyes upon Jesus! I know sometimes easier said than done. Fortunately for me no one gives me too much grief if I am a few minutes late at work.
peace
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Nice way to put into play a paradigm shift Mike!
Question though: What was wrong with just praying in traffic? |
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| Mike, great reminder that we are all in control of at least one thing - our attitudes. Many times I have reflected on what Likton Frankyl said decades ago regarding attitude. He stated, "Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: To choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's way." I have never forgot that statement. |
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Thanks Glenn and Michael! I often pray in traffic as well. Lately however my life has been go go go go, and I can feel God being crowded out. I need to get still and quiet with him more, and that was what I had hoped to do. There will certainly be other opportunities, this just happened to very clearly be God showing me how two contrasting perspectives could be the difference between a day of walking with him or a day of walking alone, stewing.
Thanks Pastor Tim. That's a great quote (I expect nothing less from ya - lol), and one I've heard many times in different forms. |
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| Awesome blog my friend. Awesome. |
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| Encouraging word, Mike. See the blessing. Always. Other voices, HUSH! |
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Deb |
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December 12, 2007 at 2:18pm |
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| This is so true Mike. I get frustrated when I get into bad traffic, but then I think that I am not the one having the car problems, or the accident that has slowed things down. I can just take my time and get there when I get there. We really don't have control over some things, so why get upset...but my first reaction is to get frustrated. I need to have the second perspective you talked of, and make it happen first! Thanks for the good advice! |
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That's a great point you make Mike about becoming still and quiet in our prayer time. Quite often I am praying in the Spirit when I am in traffic or on the move. But I am more able to pour my heart out to God when I am still, focused, and alone.
In fact, I just spent some alone time with God. It's been a while since I have literally cried before my Father from the bottom of my heart, but this evening I certainly did. He's definitely working something out in me. I have been in a place of what I call "Holy Discontent" for a few weeks now. I liken it to birthing pains. I know that something is about to manifest,praise God!
James 1:18
He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession. |
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| Michael, it seems you and I could be at the same place. I am not entirely content right now in my own spiritual walk. In fact, at times I feel as though I'm pounding against a great immovable wall. But I know things will shake loose soon. I think that I need a lengthy period of quiet meditation, perhaps a fast leading up to it. I'll pray for you in your holy discontent! (hoping you'll do the same for me!) ~mike |
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JayKTX |
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December 12, 2007 at 11:48pm |
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| I don't know who said this first, but it is sure true: what we focus on grows. You chose to focus on a godly thought and it "made" your day. Good blog! |
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"what we focus on grows" .... What a great way to summarize this issue of attitudes, Jay! Man I like that. Whichever we focus on looms largest in our minds. Eventually the other perspective is entirely blocked from view. Wow! That explains a lot!
Btw, nice to see you again Jay. Seems like you've been somewhere other than MyChurch lately. :-) |
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| This is super duper great! You got it, pontiac! lol |
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| | "what we focus on grows" WOW!
Does anyone else here listen to Andrew Wommack?
Andrew tends to draw a lot of controversy because he speaks against religion so much. But in my opinion, he has some great messages. One of his messages entitled "Hardness of Heart" says the exact thing that Jay mentioned. Andrew says it like this:
"First, whatever you consider, your heart becomes softened toward. Conversely, whatever you fail to consider, your heart becomes hardened to."
As a man thinketh, so is he!
Andrew has a great audio series on this topic for those who are interested.
Hardness of Heart Audio |
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Michael,
I've never heard of him. You think highly of him, so that piques my interest. Next chance I get I'll give him a listen! |
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| You bet Michael, thanks for the links! |
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Mike,
For the second time, I have read this blog. Awesome man Awsome! Anyways, I totally agree with you. Attitude is everything. I remember many days where my days went sour just because I was sour. I had to change my perspective on things.
Jeremy |
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