Living Lesson: Life From Another Perspective
by: Christopher Wiles
“For I know the plans I have for you,
declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” – Jeremiah 29:11
Wednesday
morning came and went with me feeling a little frustrated. I overslept my 4am alarm and didn’t wake till
5:45am, meaning I didn’t get a 3 mile run in before recording for the radio. On top of that, the 112 students who were
present in the homeschool cooperative were a little more rowdy than normal. By the time I arrived back to the office to
work, I possessed a darker mood than usual. After a prayer I had a plan to help my mood, “I know what will help. I’ll make my visits
first today, I’ll go see Jean Moore in the rehab center. She’s always happy to see me.”
Then
I received the text from Donna, “Warren
is being lifelined to St. Mary’s, had a heart attack.” My own heart sank to a deeper and darker
place than before. Prayers for healing
were uttered as I headed out the door to Evansville. Many of you reading this shared the same
despondency when you heard the phone tree message.
Yet,
when Warren came out of surgery and was speaking to us, my heart lifted and by the end of the evening I was feeling grateful
and excited, thanking God for prayers answered. So what really changed my mood? It wasn’t the students that changed. It wasn’t the volunteers that changed. It wasn’t that anything amazingly wonderful
happened in my life. It was simply my
perspective that changed. God
led me to a place where I was refocused on what really mattered in life. When pitting a dear brother’s triumphant
success in surgery against those minor irritations of rowdy students, the
frustrations paled in comparison. Joy
and gratefulness fully occupied the space in my heart.
Sometimes in life we need a perspective
checkup when we’re feeling the funk down in the dumps. Here are a few verses from Paul’s writings to
pray about and meditate on that may aid us on our way to a healthier life perspective.
May you find reason to joyfully thank God today.
“And we know that for those who love God all
things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
– Romans 8:28
“For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it
is through Him that we utter our Amen to God for His glory.” 2 Corinthians 1:20
“Not that I am
speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In
any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.” – Philippians 4:11-12
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power
of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” – Romans 15:13
Living Lessons are practical every day lessons that Topher writes from his learning experiences. They are featured weekly in the Washington Church of Christ bulletin. Click here to find more: LIVING LESSONS.