Getting God’s Viewpoint

“We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death works in us, but life in you.”  2 Corinthians 4:8-12

Those who face great trial, disappointment, sickness, or failure are often driven to seek God for some sense of comfort in their circumstances. How many ask, “Why God? Why do You allow this to happen - to me?” If that kind of question has surfaced in your life recently, welcome to the human race. You are a normal person, responding to difficulty in a normal way.

What we desperately need to be careful of is our tendency, just under the surface, to harbor a little bit of resentment against God for “allowing” this to happen. If not dealt with, this resentment will begin to fester into anger against God and finally turn to unbelief. Through all of life’s disappointments, our spirit’s desire is to understand what God wants to accomplish in our life through this. We want to get God’s viewpoint!

The great mind of C.S. Lewis raised Christianity’s insights into this aspect of life as through personal trial and the trials of close friends, he penned these thoughts: “Disappointment - His appointment. Change one letter then I see that the thwarting of my purpose is His better choice for me.”

In the midst of today’s pressures or pain, ask yourself, “Do I have God’s viewpoint?”

The divine look is a long look - going beyond the tests and trials of today to a brighter tomorrow.