Perspective Shift

There are two sides to every story. Two perspectives to every situation. Life has a way of forcing you through difficult situations. An important life skill is being able to see and understand different perspectives. 

The most frustrating thing is when you're having a conversation with someone, and they refuse to see your perspective. It's like talking to a brick wall. It's exhausting. 

We all come with our own set of experiences, backgrounds, trauma, and losses. Everyone is entitled to their own perspective. You cannot tell someone how to feel or what perspective to have if you are not going through what they are going through. Period. If you're not able to understand or listen to someone else's perspective without criticizing them or accusing them of being wrong, you've got a lot of growing to do. Again, everyone is entitled to their own perspective. That being said, sometimes it's okay to offer or encourage someone to look at things differently. Before blatantly telling someone that they are wrong, there's power in saying "I hear you." I hear that this hurt you. I hear that this made you feel upset. I hear you. I hear you, and I am listening to your perspective of things.

At this point in my career, I've seen thousands of patients. Over the years, the one thing I've noticed that they all have in common is that they all want to be heard. They want someone to listen. Now, there's a difference between listening to respond and listening to understand. Once you learn this, you will be able to provide the other person with the comfort they may need to make it through whatever they are going through. You'd be surprise at how much power there is in listening to understand and allowing someone to feel heard.

Perspective. Life will present us with many opportunities to choose what perspective we'll have. We all go through difficult times. Times that make you feel like there's no way out. Times that make you feel like you have no fight left. Lord knows I've been through it. There's no doubt in my mind that I would not have made it through if I were not able to see another perspective. I have been forced to retrain my brain to always see the positive side of things. It is not easy all the time. It has taken some time. I used to hate when people said, "Look on the bright side," as if they weren't hearing what I was going through. We've all asked God, what's the point of this? Why me? Lord knows my faith has been tried and tested. Still is.

Perspective one: God, why am I still going through this? God, why are you isolating me in this season? God, why is it that I pour out to everyone else, but no one pours back into me? God, why haven't you given me the desires of my heart? God, why are you allowing this to happen? God, why are you allowing this person to treat me this way?

Perspective shift: God WILL get me through this. This too shall pass. God WILL make a way out of no way. God WILL give me the desires of my heart. God WILL see me through. God is my vindicator. God holds my future in His hands. Everything is going to be alright. Everything is working for my good. God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all I could ask or think.

The truth is, God allows certain difficult situations to take place. Is it because He's cruel? Absolutely not. It's because He wants us to have a perspective shift. Shift our eyes towards Him. Shift our hearts towards Him. Shift our focus on Him. Shift our mindset from one of complaining to one of gratefulness. When we are grateful for what we do have, it's harder to be upset about what we don't have. Isaiah 26 verse 3 says "You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you: because he trusts in you." When you shift your eyes towards Jesus, He will give you a new perspective on life. Peace that surpasses all understanding. Joy in times of sorrow and hope for tomorrow. Shift your eyes on Him and He'll see you through.