Changing Perspective

 

We've heard the saying “There’s at least two sides to every argument.” Every person has a slightly different perspective. It’s easy for us to think “I’m right, they are wrong.” Maybe even go a little deeper emotionally and think “I've been hurt by them, they have done me wrong.” Just like the saying goes- there's always another perspective.

When we take the Biblical approach to these situations, we find something very important.

Philippians 2:3-4  - “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.”

Proverbs 18:17 - “He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.”

God doesn't want us to wallow in our own agony, in our own hurt, and become bitter. He wants us to consider the perspective of the other individual(s). When our perspective shifts off of ourselves, and onto the other person, our hearts change as well.

Galatians 6:2 - “Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.”

Romans 15:1-3 - “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.”

We cannot possibly bear one another’s burdens unless we consider their perspective. God wants us to have compassion for other people. It starts with our own hearts. We cannot be compassionate towards others until we have considered their perspective, and allow that perspective to soften our hearts.

I have to consistently (literally, several times a day), ask God for another perspective so that my heart can be changed, and softened instead of becoming bitter and hard. It’s a daily struggle for me. It’s likely a daily struggle for you too. It’s not easy to put other people first. In fact, it’s quite difficult. It is however worth it to not have the bitterness built up by being selfish.

John 16:24 “Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.”