It’s All About the View
Fall is my favorite time of year for hiking. I love seeing all the colors on the trees as well as the cooler temperatures. It is the best time for climbing a mountain — not too hot and not too cold.
Many times I stand at the bottom of a mountain and wonder if I can ever make it to the top. Depending on the clouds, there are days when the top of the mountain isn’t even in sight. The journey is treacherous at times, and I often have to rest along the way. However, when I reach the summit, the view is spectacular. I cannot see all the twists and turns I made along the way, but my body feels them. The view has not changed, but my perspective has.
The same can be said of life. There are times when we face seemingly insurmountable challenges. We may have no idea where the road will take us. We fear the unknown and may need to take time to rest and practice self-care during the journey. There are other times when we have overcome unspeakable trials and we stand in awe of the strength and peace we find on the other side. Many times, our circumstances may not change, but our perspective can.
My family is going through a tough time right now, and it is difficult to keep the proper perspective. My feelings fluctuate from anger, to sadness, to disgust, and to confusion. Even though my feelings change, I know that one thing remains the same: God is still in control and I can trust him. It is during these times that I need to see things from a heavenly perspective. If I can keep my focus on God’s sovereignty and off of my circumstances, I tend to experience more peace, patience, and understanding.
May we seek to see others as God sees them and to see our trials as faith builders that can bring God glory.