A Fearless Perspective

Keeping a "proper perspective" is tricky business. 

 

A healthy perspective can be comforting and keep us emotionally safe -- but where's the fun in that?

Emotions make us feel alive!

 

Our emotional highs and lows are often what make us feel the most alive. We love our feelings, especially the euphoric ones. Even the really low feelings are deemed better than feeling numb. That's why we take a chance on love and risk the disappointment of a broken heart -- because the "up" is worth the potential "down".

It's a delicate dance to fully participate in our feelings and not potentially be destroyed by them. 

 

As Christians, we can be safe in our feelings because we know that God is in control -- in spite of what we may be experiencing at the moment. There is a greater outcome just around the corner, enabling us to forgive or to love in safety. We are free from ourselves, and free to be ourselves.

Perspective Shift #1: As Christ-followers we are told exactly (1) who we are and (2) what to expect. 

 

The human condition is pretty grim apart from God. We are born in sin and unable to save ourselves.

He alone is our salvation. It's all His amazing grace, so don't get too focused on you and your sin. It's already been taken care of. Look away from your storm and look at the cross. The storm will pass and the cross is forever. We are his children. Deeply loved, safe, and cared for with an amazing view of the future.

In Christ, we are better off than we could ever imagine. 

 

Jesus paid for our sin, and when by faith we accept His amazing sacrifice for us, we receive His life in us and we are made righteous before God. How bad can you really feel when you have that kind of love and hope to rest in?

So, when the blues come callin' just re-focus, remember who your Daddy is, and rest in Him.

We can live with power and confidence in this life because of three promises:

• You are not alone.
• Anything that happens to you in this life will be used for your good.
• The best is yet to come.

Perspective Shift #2: We are meant to live beyond our circumstances. 

 

Regardless of what is currently happening to us, heaven is actually now. Eternal life and a permanent and personal relationship with the God who made you, began the instant you gave your heart to Jesus -- and nothing can separate you from His love -- ever! 

So, what's the worst that could happen?

 

Death is just a door you walk through to the next (better!) thing. So actually, the saying "it's-life-or-death" doesn't really apply to Christians. For us, it's all life! We can safely enjoy the good and survive the bad events -- because whatever we are going through, it is not the end.  

 

"It was sin that made death so frightening and law-code guilt that gave sin its leverage, its destructive power. But now in a single victorious stroke of Life, all three—sin, guilt, death—are gone, the gift of our Master, Jesus Christ. Thank God!" 

(I Corinthians 15:54-57 The Message)

 

I'm just saying...

 

When you're finally exhausted from your emotional drama and ready to face reality, there is some very good news there for you. Bow down, look up, and remember Who made you, why you're here, and where you're going. It's really quite a ride!

"It will all be well in the end. If it is not yet well, it is not yet the end." 

Quote from the movie 'The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel' (It's quite Biblical!)

I have a song for everything:  "Live On Forever" by The Afters