Sometimes, we can be stuck within our own world—when we are stressed, anxious, busy, or just naturally self-absorbed. We can see nothing else but our own viewpoint, troubles, or desires. All we see is what we’re going through.
The problem with holding this view is that we can mistakenly highlight situations to be bigger than they actually are. We can be crippled under their weight or be overjoyed at their presence, when in reality, they are not as big or as small as we would like.
For instance, when you are stuck in your own world, you might think you are the only person who is facing trouble at work, struggling with finances, or unable to rest because you’re so busy. But this is wrong.
This is a lack of perspective, or the ability to see things as they truly are.
Truth is, many situations in our lives are not as good or as bad as they could be. Seeing our circumstances through the lens of how they truly are helps us not give too much emphasis to them to the point that they might produce anxiety or premature celebration.
Practicing perspective is a discipline that frees us, reminds us that it’s not all about us.
Perspective allows us to live lightly, avoid stress and other unnecessary attachments. It also gives us the freedom to see certain circumstances in our lives as blessings rather than curses, as opportunities rather than hindrances.
Once we make a habit of perspective and make all these benefits as part of our natural outlook on life, then we can turn our life around to be a blessing to others, rather than only being consumed in our own world.
Jesus was always trying to introduce perspective in the disciples’ outlook. For instance, when the disciples return from casting out demons in Luke 10:17-20, Jesus reminds them not to rejoice in their act. Jesus wasn’t being a buzzkill here. He was simply stating that what they were doing was not as good as it gets. He gave the disciples a dose of reality.
Jesus filtered many moments out of the acknowledgement that things weren’t as bad or as good as they could be. Much of this was because He knew of Heaven, and His knowledge of Heaven gave Him an eternal perspective on Earth.
We too can practice having more perspective in our lives because we also know of Heaven. We know that this isn’t it for us. We know there is more, that it will be so much better in Heaven. Having this outlook helps us balance things here, acknowledging their weight and how much significance they truly do hold.
In other words, it frees us to live lives centered on God’s purposes here.
If you struggle with perspective, here are three practical ways to introduce perspective into your life.
1. Think about others
We must consistently open ourselves up to the troubles and needs of people around the world. We cannot stay stuck only within what we want or need. We need to remember that there are people who have it worse than us.
In thinking about others, we can expand our outlook.
But in thinking about others, we must avoid the temptation to place ourselves above others. For example, we can’t be like the Pharisee in Luke 18:9-14 who only said how much better he was than the tax collector. Instead, when we think about others, we must find the avenues to relate and connect with their troubles. This helps us make a difference rather than simply make us feel better.
Think about others who might also be feeling pain, and be reminded that you’re not alone.
2. Think about reality
Always seek the truth to matters. When we stay within our own world, we tend to make situations—like work or stress—appear bigger than they actually are. Instead, bring yourself back down to see the truth of the matter—that your work will not result in the end of you. Your stress is only temporary. There is no need to give more power to your circumstances than they deserve.
3. Think about your mission
When you have a mission or objective to life, your life suddenly simplifies itself. You can use it as a filter to clear the excess from your life, the things that don’t coincide with your vision.
This helps with perspective because oftentimes we lose perspective when we unintentionally let unnecessary things in our life take the spotlight. Reminding ourselves of our mission helps reorient us back to what’s important.
Perspective is a necessary discipline if you want to use your life to be a blessing to others. Next time you feel yourself sinking into your own world, practice perspective, and see that life is not as bad or as good as it could be.
Photography by Mikaela Hamilton
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The Lost Art of Spiritual Disciplines
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