LS015 The Benefits of Perspective

Hello everyone!

I hope you enjoyed your Valentine's week whether you're single or are in a relationship because, despite feeling like I wanted to drink myself into a coma at times, I made it through, lol!

Seriously, though, after the difficulties I have been through over the last few months it has helped me realise that the reason that I'm still going today has been, by and large, because of the perspective that I have been able to maintain that God is my ever present help (Psalm 46:1).

I have looked in the past at what we do when the chips are down is what really defines us and our true capabilities because they bring to light the true state of our focus during those difficult times...

What You Do is Not Who You Are

Other people might not struggle like I have done with certain issues, yet I know for a fact that I'm stronger than a lot of people, certainly than myself (certainly how I used to be), in being able to maintain that proper perspective even amidst feelings of abandonment.

For me, that has been a big issue to deal with over the last few years, making friends only for them to abandon me when it was crucially needed. It wasn't until time had passed that I realised that they were not necessarily doing out of malicious intent, rather out of a lack of knowledge of what they could actually do to help me.

In leaving the last church that I was at like I have done, it has helped me to see the true state of friendships that I made during the seven years I was there. There were an awful lot of pseudo-friends and acquaintance level friends, yet nothing deeper.

I attended Life Groups.

I attended church meetings every Sunday.

I was part of several different teams (apparently I still am according to the system).

Yet still I felt a disconnect.

There was something truly missing in my life; the lack of quality friendships.

The more I thought and prayed over that whole season, the quicker I realised that this was something that I had to pursue as it would not just end up falling into my lap. I tried. Believe you me, I tried. The reality just came about that it was a true lack of belonging that I actually felt despite making all of these attempts to overcome these obstacles. From serving on teams that I never thought I would and overcoming obstacles I never thought I could, I persisted for seven years before last summer I started to realise that my time there was fast coming to an end.

It's not an insult; it's just a fact of life.

The lack of support I actually felt contributed to my exit, but it was not the sole reason for it as long-time readers will know by previous content here. I started to see that, in order to fully realise my God-given potential upon this earth, I might have to make changes that would cost me everything I thought I had in order to gain what only God knew that I needed.

In short, my perspective had to be on God and God alone.

God saved me,

God has been there for me every step of the way just has His word promises in Deuteronomy 31:6.

God still reigns as supreme today as He did yesterday.

Final Thought

So the fact that people have been appearing to turn their backs on me and leave me trapped amongst the wolves of this world matters not a jot because they are not what bring me through; Christ is!

After all, can't appearances really be quite deceptive?

What is the one place that you turn when the chips are down? Social media? Comfort eating? Isolation? Pornography?

For it is the very thing you turn to can either make your potential or break it in half!

Peace!

===TLP===