“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” (Romans 8:18 NKJV)
Your perspective is one of the major forces in life that primarily determines, influences, and controls your emotions, responses, or reactions to life’s challenges.
Your circumstances do not determine your emotions, responses, or reactions; rather, it is how you perceive and consider them.
If your perspective on a situation is negative, your emotions, responses, and reactions will also be negative. Therefore, it is essential always to maintain the proper perspective, regardless of your challenges, trials, or circumstances.
Even though things don’t turn out as planned, dreamed, or imagined, you will not lose your joy, peace, hope, and confidence in the Lord if your perspective is proper.
What is the proper perspective on life that every believer must have, keep, or maintain in the face of any storm or tempest?
God’s perspective!
The only correct perspective that can guarantee joy, peace, or rest of mind during any storm in life is seeing or considering things in the light of eternity.
As a born-again believer, your hope in Christ transcends this present life!
Paul writes, “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.” (1 Cor. 15:19 NKJV).
In this temporary life, you may not have all the good things of life you desire; your rights may be withheld or taken from you, and you may even be unjustly punished, ostracized, victimized, or persecuted.
But in the life to come, which is eternity (time without end), God will wipe away every tear from your eyes and give you “an inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.” (1 Pet. 1:4 RSV).
Therefore, as a believer with a sure, steadfast, and eternal hope in Christ, you must not see or consider things from the earthly or natural perspective as the unbelievers, whose hope is not sure, steadfast, and eternal, but that which will perish with this world.
Our Lord Jesus Christ endured the cross and despised the shame because of the joy set before Him. Undoubtedly, our Lord Jesus considered, regarded, or viewed all His sufferings in the world in the light of eternity—from God’s perspective (Heb. 12:2).
That is how every believer should consider, regard, or view his suffering, tribulation, or persecution in this life!
On the night of His crucifixion, the Lord Jesus helped His fear-stricken, sorrowful, and troubled disciples to see beyond His shameful and painful death on the cross by giving them a proper perspective of the situation.
John 14:1-3 – NKJV
1 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.
2 “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.
Setting or fixing your mind on your imperishable, undefiled, and unfading inheritance kept in heaven for you is a sure and steadfast anchor for your soul amid the tempest or storm of this life (Heb. 6:19-20).
Paul endured hostilities and hardships without murmuring or complaining, without losing his joy and peace, or becoming bitter because he considered, reckoned, viewed, or perceived that the sufferings, hardships, or tribulations of this present time are not even worthy of being compared with the glory awaiting him in heaven.
Paul testifies, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” (Rom. 8:18 NKJV).
This is the proper perspective every believer must seek in this life!
Beloved, when you set your mind on eternal joy and glory in heaven, your present pains and sorrows will fade or become insignificant.
Therefore, choose to have God’s perspective this New Year!
Prayer:
This New Year, I choose to have God’s perspective. I set my mind on the eternal joy and glory awaiting me in Heaven, in Jesus’ name. Amen.