The Importance of Having the Right Perspective - John Houston
John Houston - Chief Executive Officer
You may have heard it said, “perception is reality.” In our faith context, this means that if a person believes their perception of God's plan is accurate, they will start to take actions that reinforce this perception and make it a reality in their faith journey.
Today, it can be tempting to get overwhelmed or consumed by all the pressures we face. We may be dealing with turmoil in our family, trying to figure out how to deal with rising costs, business issues, or uncertainty about our futures. However, when we can discipline ourselves to reflect on our personal experiences and consider God's biblical examples, such as the story of Job's trials or Joseph's journey from the pit to the palace, we’ll have a healthier perspective moving forward.
Psalm 139 is a profound scripture that describes God’s thoughts and plans for us in detail. It emphasizes God's intimate knowledge of us, even before our birth, and His meticulous planning of our lives. This understanding can help us trust His plan, even when facing challenges.
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
Psalm 139:13,15-16
If God knew us before we were born, He knew our personalities, strengths, and weaknesses. Then, He decided which family to place us in. It’s crazy to me to think that God knew the future trials I would go through in my family, yet He chose to place me there. He wouldn’t choose or cause destruction for us, but He knew how He would use those experiences to draw me closer to Him and prepare me to share the hope within me with others.
He knew that my struggles as a young man would grow into the character I would need as an adult. We can’t always recognize what God is doing at the moment. But what if we reached a place of such deep trust in His love that we could have confidence He is at work even when life’s confusing?
When I look back on my life, I can recognize God’s hand and see His plan a bit clearer. When I bring that perspective to what is facing me today, I’m more willing to surrender to what God may be doing that I can’t see yet.
When we recognize and trust that God is writing a powerful story through our lives, we’re free to let go and let God be in control. God has been and will continue to be faithful, from our families to our businesses.
Let’s consistently ask God to help us see things from His perspective. It can change everything.