Perspective Matters
On today’s podcast, I spoke to you about how we tend to magnify the power of our issues and minimize the power of our God. During that broadcast, I was sharing how my youngest son, 14-year-old Kaleb, took a photograph of one of his “mini mate” action figures and made it look way bigger than it actually is in real life.
Below is the photo that he shot from an angle that increased the action figure’s size.
And below is the actual size of the action figure.
That’s a dramatic difference, right? And that leads me to my point, which is, our perspective matters. It’s not about what we see but how we see that matters most. Often, our perspective blows things out of proportion, and we are accosted by fear, worry, doubt and defeat.
For a moment, just think about David’s perspective of Goliath in 1 Samuel 17. Goliath was obviously the total opposite of Kaleb’s mini mate. He was a bonafide giant from any angle! The ones who were too scared to engage this irreverent giant in battle thought, Goliath is too big to fight. But David’s perspective, which was shaped by his grasp of the magnitude of God’s power, made him say, Goliath is too big to miss! And with one fatal shot to the middle of Goliath’s forehead, David won an easy victory made possible by His faith.
Friend, when we confront battles in our lives, our perspective matters. In Matthew 17:1-13, Jesus took Peter, James and John to a mountain with Him to pray. While Jesus was on the mountain, He was transfigured. Transfigured is the Greek word metamorphoó (pronounced met-am-or-fo'-o)—from where we derive our English word metamorphosis. It means to change into another form. So, Jesus transfigured or changed his outward, bodily form. His face shone bright like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. Moses and Elijah also appeared on the mountain talking to Jesus, and God spoke from a cloud declaring that Jesus was His son.
This transfiguration terrified the disciples, but it was necessary to give them the right perspective of Jesus. They needed to know without any doubt that He was the Messiah, because His coming death didn’t fit the Jewish narrative of what they expected the Messiah to be. They thought Jesus would conquer and overthrow the Roman government and rescue the Jews, not die a shameful, criminal’s death on the cross!
But this experience would leave no doubt in the disciples’ minds of who Jesus truly was. And that revelation would sustain them through the difficult times ahead.
Just as the disciples in Bible days needed to be sure of the identity of Jesus to sustain them, so do we. This is why we must let the word of God transform our thinking and confirm for us who Christ really is. That way, when trouble arises, no matter how intimidating, we’ll remember that our resurrected Savior has already won the victory for us. Over 2000 years ago, He died and rose with all power.
“God wants you to see who you are. You are royalty. You are His child. You are favored. You are blessed. You are victorious. You are His choice. And He has made you more than a conqueror!”
In order for us to see things the right way, Romans 12:2 says, we must be transformed by the renewing of our minds. That word transformed in this verse is the very same Greek word metamorphoó used to describe Christ’s transformation on that mountain. Jesus was already perfect, so His transformation was only external, but our transformation is internal. When we go through a spiritual metamorphosis by the power of God’s word, the way we think changes. Our perspective shifts, and we clearly see that we serve Jesus Christ, the Triumphant One, who makes us victorious.
Then we can look at our issues and do what David did and grab hold to the Rock. Our Rock is superior to David’s, because we possess Christ, the Rock of our salvation. He has given us power to defeat every giant, to overcome the works of the enemy, and conquer everything that comes against us.
So today, God is challenging you to make sure that your perspective aligns with His word, and then your issues will be overshadowed by the glory of God, and they’ll lose their intimidation factor. You’ve got Christ the Rock fighting for you, favoring you, interceding for you, and working things out for your good.
Today, I’m stirring a portion of 2 Samuel 22:2 KJV into your cup of inspiration, which says, “The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer.”
As you drink down the contents of your cup, let the word of God change your perspective of your problems and help you see that Jesus Christ, the Conquering Savior, is greater than them all. And be assured that every giant in your life must fall, because nothing and no one can stand against the Rock.
Now, let’s pray.
God, thank You for reminding me of who I am in Christ and who Christ is in me. Please continue to renew my mind through Your word, so when problems come, I won’t be intimidated, but I will see that I am already victorious through You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you desire prayer, please allow me, along with my intercessory prayer team, to stand in faith with you for breakthrough. We would be so honored. We have seen God work over and over again. There is power in agreement. Click here to request prayer now.
As always, thanks for reading and until next time... may today's cup of inspiration uplift, encourage, and empower you!
