Tag: perspective

March 12, 2025 Devotional Post a Comment

A Shift in Perspective for God’s Greater Plan

Opening Verse

“Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”
Colossians 3:2 (KJV)

Introduction

Sometimes, God is preparing you for a major shift, but before He moves, He calls you to change the way you see things. Your perspective determines how you receive His direction. If your mind is locked into worldly limitations, you may miss the doors He is opening.

Devotional Story

A woman named Angela had been praying for a breakthrough in her career. She felt stuck, her prayers seemingly unanswered. Every day, she watched as others advanced, while she remained in the same position. Frustrated, she cried out to God.

One evening, as she was reading the Bible, her eyes fell on Isaiah 43:19:

“Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.”

A thought pressed into her heart: What if the problem is not my situation, but the way I see it?

Angela decided to stop focusing on what seemed like a delay and started asking God what He was doing in the waiting season. She realized that through her current job, she was gaining valuable experience, learning skills she would need for a bigger assignment. Within months, a new opportunity opened—one she would not have been ready for had she left earlier. What seemed like a delay was actually God’s preparation.

What This Means

If you only focus on what you lack, you will not see the blessings God is placing before you. Your mindset must shift before your circumstances can. Stop looking at life through the eyes of frustration, and start seeing it through the lens of faith. God is preparing something greater, but He needs you to align with His vision.

Think About This

  • What areas in your life require a shift in perspective?
  • Have you been seeing your current situation as an obstacle instead of an opportunity?
  • How can you actively trust that God is working even when things seem stagnant?

Prayer

Heavenly Father,
Help me to see things through Your eyes. Change my heart and renew my mind so that I may recognize the doors You are opening for me. Remove any frustration, fear, or doubt that keeps me from walking in faith. I trust that You are making a way, even when I cannot yet see it. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Closing Verse

“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.”
Proverbs 3:5 (KJV)

 

September 12, 2024 Devotional Post a Comment

The Inner Self Creates the Outer World

Opening Verse

“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” — Proverbs 4:23 (KJV)

Introduction

The condition of our heart and mind is reflected in how we live our lives. What we nurture internally often becomes visible in our actions, relationships, and decisions. As Christians, we are called to guard our hearts and minds because our inner thoughts and attitudes shape the world we experience.

Devotional Story

There was once a man named Roger who always seemed overwhelmed by stress and negativity. No matter what good things happened, he couldn’t shake his feelings of frustration. One day, his friend James asked him, “Why do you see so much hardship in your life?”

Roger responded, “Because life is hard. No matter what I do, something always goes wrong.”

James paused and then said, “Roger, could it be that your focus on the negative is shaping your experience? Jesus said in Matthew 12:34, ‘For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.’ What fills your heart comes out in how you live. If you fill your heart with God’s peace, your world will begin to change.”

This conversation struck a chord with Roger. He began to spend more time in prayer and meditation on God’s Word, focusing on His promises rather than his frustrations. Over time, Roger noticed a shift. His circumstances hadn’t changed drastically, but his heart had. And because his heart changed, his view of the world became more hopeful.

What This Means

The way we perceive and experience the world often starts with what’s inside of us. If we allow worry, anger, or bitterness to rule our hearts, that’s what we will see in our daily lives. However, when we fill our hearts with God’s love, peace, and joy, those same qualities begin to reflect in our outer world. The Apostle Paul reminds us in Romans 12:2 to “be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” It all starts within.

Think About This

  • What thoughts and emotions are ruling your heart today?
  • Are you allowing God’s peace and love to fill your heart, or are you letting the world’s troubles dominate?
  • How can you take a step today to shift your focus from outward problems to inner peace with God?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to guard my heart and mind. I know that what I allow inside of me will shape how I see the world around me. Fill me with Your peace, love, and joy, so that my life reflects Your goodness. May I look inward first and trust that You will guide my steps in the world. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Closing Verse

“A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.” — Matthew 12:35 (KJV)