Step Back and Look Again

 

We went to Key West last weekend for a mini-vacation. I enjoy flying, except when the turbulence is bad. I like looking out the window at the ground below. Everything seems peaceful when you’re looking down from 30,000 feet. I enjoy being able to see mountain ranges, rivers, and other aspects of God’s creation, the scope of which you can’t appreciate from ground level.

 

We live in difficult times. In addition, we all face challenges and trials of one sort or another on a daily basis. We can get so wrapped up in them that it’s hard to think of anything else. We would be well served to step back and look at our problems from a distance, from a peaceful setting, “30,000 feet up” as it were. When we step back, our problems don’t get smaller but they seem smaller. We may find it easier to see God working in our lives.

 

Paul suffered greatly for his preaching of the Gospel. Beaten, stoned, shipwrecked, and eventually martyred, he had every reason to give up. He was, however, able to look at his trials from a distance and see the loving hand of God. He wrote to the Romans, “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us” (Romans 8:16-18). Paul never lost hope, writing, “We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us” (Romans 5:3-5).

 

If your problems seem too big for you, find some quiet time, step back and look again. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you see how God views your situation. Ask for direction and peace. Be willing to surrender control, to “Let go and let God”.

 

With a fresh perspective on our lives, may we rise above the challenges we face with the help of God.