This article first appeared on The Christian Broadcasting Network |
“If your faith remains strong, even while surrounded by life’s difficulties, you will continue to experience the untold blessings of God! True happiness comes as you pass the test with faith, and receive the victorious crown of life promised to every lover of God” (James 1:12, TPT)!
Perspective is a key ingredient to faith.
What I mean is, in order for your faith to remain strong, you will have to adjust your perspective.
Here’s an example: Imagine an ant strolling down the sidewalk. From his perspective, the road is long. But now picture yourself on the sidewalk observing the ant. From your perspective you can see the ant’s past, present, and future. It’s not hard at all to see where the ant came from, where he currently is, and where he is heading. You could even place a juicy piece of fruit a little ways down the sidewalk for the ant to find. He doesn’t yet know the fruit is ahead of him, but you do.
This is how things are from God’s perspective. He can see your past, present, and future— all at the same time. And He knows the things He has prepared for you that you cannot yet see. This is why faith is required on our part (trusting God and His Word regardless of what things look like at the moment).
“If your faith remains strong, even while surrounded by life’s difficulties, you will continue to experience the untold blessings of God!”
Perspective describes a person’s outlook, viewpoint, position, and stance. When you and I look into the Word of God and position ourselves to believe it from God’s point of view (and not our own natural viewpoint), suddenly things seem less ominous. Yet, this position of hope requires faith.
And isn’t that what the writer of Hebrews said? “Now faith brings our hopes into reality and becomes the foundation needed to acquire the things we long for. It is all the evidence required to prove what is still unseen” (Hebrews 11:1, TPT).
The ant can’t see what is waiting for him down the road, but he travels onward in faith. When we choose to believe (by faith) that God is good and has our best interest in mind, we too can travel forward around life’s difficulties and obstacles with assurance.
Faith helps us put a handle on what we can’t see.
The Amplified Bible says faith perceives as real fact what is not revealed to our senses (Hebrews 11:1). To perceive means to come to realize, understand, or aware of something. And yes, perceive is a close cousin to the word perception. One being the position of faith, the other being the realization (or reward) of faith. When the ant comes upon the piece of fruit, I imagine he sings “Hallelujah!” while you and I smile, having known all along it was waiting for him.
God smiles when we trust Him too.
So be encouraged today. Adjust your perspective. Despite what it may look like from your vantage point, I promise God has good things in wait for you.
