A New Perspective

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 - That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.  

1 Peter 1:23  For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God. 

You no longer see life from the world’s point of view.  You are beginning to see life through the eyes of Jesus. 

The lens of grace. You did not earn this new life.  Jesus, in his mercy offered you forgiveness as a gift.  And more than that, He has assured you that nothing can separate you from Him.  He completely accepts you, is totally committed to you, and unequivocally loves you. Because of how Jesus sees you, you see yourself differently.  And now, you see others differently, too. 

The lens of eternity.  You know now that life is not temporary.  Life is eternal.  Forever has new meaning. Trials and challenges don't carry the weight they did before, they are smaller now that you consider the much grander scheme of life. Troubles and worries are momentary in consideration of eternity.  Yes, you will have hurts and concerns in this life, but they are not the end of the road for you. God is writing an epic story that is both His and Yours, and it is a real story of His Truth, Goodness and Love.  These are the eternal essentials that define your life, and now you see earthly circumstances from a new perspective. 

The lens of faith.  You know now that in this life there is that which is seen and that which is unseen.  Your new outlook is one of a Jesus-centered assurance -  whether visible or invisible.   Life is more than the physical in front of us, it is about the spirit inside of us.  There is more to circumstances than what you see immediately before you.  There may be a darkness that lurks, but it is the Light that wins.  Fear may come, but faith will see you through.  

Seeing things from the perspective of Jesus is new and different.  To be great is to be small.  To be poor is to be rich.  To lose your life is to find it.  To be a leader is to be a servant.  Bless those who persecute you and rejoice when you have problems. At first it will seem like everything is upside down, but soon you will see that everything is in fact made right side up. 

More:  Romans 8:31-39,  2 Corinthians 5:16-17, Hebrews 11:1, Titus 3:5-7