A New Perspective

Glass half full, glass half empty.  Pessimist or optimist. I like to think that I am a realist – someone who sees things exactly as they are – the glass has water in it.  However, when I really stop to think about my behaviors, my anxiety, and my worrying, it shows a different picture. I regret to inform you, I am a pessimist.

Last week, I began to feel achy and congested. A sinus infection hit me like a freight train on one of the most stressful weeks when I already had so much going on, a toddler to wrangle, and everyday tasks. This was not good. Why, Lord, why? Why have you let me get sick when you knew it was going to be a stressful week?  I spiraled into a pit of misery for a few hours. Sulking in thoughts of how much MORE awful and harder the week was going to be. Then, I remembered a snippet about David from a recent sermon.

Over the past few months, I’ve heard, reenacted, and read the story of David and Goliath umpteen million times since it is my son’s current favorite Bible story. However, recently something stood out in the scripture that I’ve never noticed before, or never stopped long enough to notice.

And David said, “The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” 1 Samuel 17:37

This boy whose job was to watch over his father’s sheep, was charging into hand-to -hand combat with a giant that made the armies of Israel tremble. David didn’t have the same reaction I would have: Oh no! Why me? Why must I fight the lion? Why has He sent a bear to attack? Why is this giant to torturing us? Although he had every right to think that way since he had literally been in those situations. His response was totally different. Basically David said: Bring it on. I have seen the Lord deliver me and protect me from the mouth of the lion and the paw of the bear. And I know He will do it again.

Isn’t it funny how that happens? We think we know a certain story from the Bible so well, but because the Word is living and active, the Lord opens our eyes to new phrases and facets at exactly the right time for our circumstances. Amazing.

When something bad happens, when something doesn’t go my way, let me stop my normal reaction of, Why me?  Instead, I pray that I would have a new perspective, that of David.  Lord, I don’t understand what’s happening.  I don’t know why you’ve brought this giant into my life, but I have seen your good works already. I have witnessed your mighty hand at work. So I am believing Phillipians 1:6.

“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”

After sulking for far too long about a silly setback of sickness, I wish I would have stopped and changed my perspective. It was a time for me to slow down. I was able to cuddle with my son a little more and watch movies together. I was able to read. The Lord was working things out in ways I couldn’t see through my panic and worry.

This is not to say you’re not allowed to get upset or angry when tragedy strikes or life-changing circumstances arise. There is a time and a place for that.  I’m suggesting a new perspective once the dust has settled on major events and on our everyday stressors.

David, a shepherd boy, had the right perspective on God’s faithfulness to fight his battle. Let us find a new perspective the next time we face our own Goliaths as well.