You’ve heard the comparison before, the one about the glass being half empty, or half full. Which perspective do you see? Maybe it changes depending on the season, or situation. Maybe it doesn’t change and you are a steady Positive Polly or Negative Nancy.
Either way, it’s about perspective.
Recently, while visiting the coast, I had a glass half empty moment. When we arrived, there was a storm rolling in and I remember fully embracing it; truly confident there was a clearing coming the next day. But, when the clearing came and the weather was gorgeous, I started dreading the next storm. Soon I realized it was more a reflection of the current position of my perspective in life, and wasn’t about the weather at all.
In the last few months, coming out of a highly draining year, I’ve been wrestling with this perspective issue. I found myself in a strange period of calm, which I actually named for myself a ‘soft landing season’. A time when things seemed to jive, I felt unruffled, at ease. But during that time I also found myself fretting over when the next trial would come. Was I in the 'calm before the storm'? Why was I worrying about tomorrow’s forecast when there were blue skies right in front of me? I was waiting for ‘the next shoe to drop’ if you will. What I noticed was when things are hard going, I am able to cling to peace and hope. But when things are going well, I am awaiting and dreading trials. Does ANYONE else struggle with this?
During this smoother season of still waters, I didn’t know what to do with myself. I was without something to stress about or some affliction to fight. Did part of me felt guilt to not be suffering like others around me? Or was I feeling unworthy of receiving this goodness? Maybe it is the curse of the perfectionist that even good is never good enough. As if it’s not ok to be ok. Yikes…the vortex of that sort of thinking is dangerous and incredibly exhausting.
I am pretty sure it can be traced to my difficult childhood. Most things can. But I don’t want to continue to justify wrong thinking as an adult by pointing to trials as a child if I am to ever heal, and grow up. Perhaps though, we can actually take hold of our thoughts and figure out why we often self-sabotage the goodness in our lives. As a health and accountability coach, I see this with many clients. People unable to accept or identify any positive results or changes they are making, as if they are blind to goodness. Seeing faults and failures much bigger than progress and positives. I do it too. But I also know we can literally rewire and retrain our brains and move out of the rut our thinking gets in. We can realign our thinking and gain correct perspective. With a little shift, some intentional practice, and a whole lot of Jesus my friends.
Maybe you can relate to this topic. Maybe you have trouble seeing good in anything. Or maybe you’ve been trepidatious in easy-as-pie seasons when things clicked and you felt relaxed, in a groove, on top of the world; or on a mountaintop.
Let’s stay there for a bit.
In scripture, mountaintops are places of reverence where one might have profound experiences with God. Like where Jesus would go and pray, or take his disciples to teach them parables. Where Moses went to receive the 10 Commandments. Where the Lord’s glory appeared to the Israelites. The mountaintop was deemed HOLY by Ezekiel, and will be where the Lord’s house will again be established according to Isaiah. Up high where Jesus was transfigured in front of Peter, James, and John. Mountaintops were a big deal. They were exalted places where good became clear.
Mountaintop perspectives are kingdom perspectives.
And our perspectives can illuminate what is important to us, or where our hope lies.
One of my favorite songs, “Jireh”, speaks of a mountaintop. I play it on repeat when I battle hard with anxiety. This mountaintop a symbolic place where we can see clearly from. Where our mindset is properly affixed on Heavenly things and we have a vast view of so much more than the limited view from inside a dark storm. It’s where we can breathe free, and deep, and see great distances. Where wide open space can reveal the Heavens and our perspective is one of certain eternal hope. We feel peace, ease. Where we realize how big our God is. It is on these peaks we might feel closer to Him. Mountaintops can be little moments that spark joy or huge moments that take our breath away. And this song reminds me to not forget that feeling, that eternal hope, when nightfall or trials come. Because these things will come, and can disrupt my perspective if I allow it.
Recently our teaching pastor even mentioned mountaintops in a sermon, pointing out that we may have these experiences during worship concerts, camps, retreats, while in prayer or during quiet time. He explained how God can reward us with these holy moments, whenever He chooses; a gift. I had never considered them a gift. How amazing and beautiful that is.
Perhaps my easy season has been just that, a gift. A Holy gift. And rather than sabotage it waiting for the next struggle to arrive, I need to fully rest in it - and be thankful.
In an amusing twist, God has given me an opportunity to adjust my perspective again in my current position at work. It has been a tempestuous journey for a few months now, since my employer restructured and brought my ‘soft landing’ to a screeching halt. But God is speaking clearly to me through it, reminding me that a kingdom perspective is necessary when dealing with this world. We are told to keep our eyes on Him. To focus on the main thing, a God sized eternity, and not temporary work stresses. Or health stresses. Or relationship stresses. I remember Paul’s letter to the Roman house churches who were facing trials. He encouraged them to push ahead with endurance, which produces character, which produces hope. (Romans 5:4)
Enduring trials widens our kingdom perspective and brings forward the fruit of hope.
Hope is evidence of a kingdom perspective.
It is true, in this world we all battle negative thoughts. We know stress, illness, trouble and trial will come…and go. We know not every season is easy. Many things are hard. But difficulties don’t last. They do end, one way or another. And we don’t need to literally hike up to thinner air to have kingdom perspectives; we have promises from a sovereign God right here where we are. We know how the story ends my friends - God wins. This is the point of view from the mountaintops we must embed in our hearts to tap into when we find ourselves in the valleys.
“I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.” - John 16:33
Another moment I am reminded of is when Jesus walked on water heading toward the disciples in their fishing boat. Peter saw Jesus and wanted to join him so he stepped out - fixed on Jesus- but then Peter let his eyes shift to the scary storm looming and he started to sink. His point of view (the storm) actually weakened his faith.
Similar to how we often cling to God during trials, we should also stay aware of how we can cling to Him when we are NOT necessarily facing trials. When we are relaxed and enjoying abundance, can we continue abiding in, relying on, and seeking God? When things are going well, are we tempted to think we don’t need Him then? Are we able to accept plentiful seasons and give proper gratitude to the gift giver? Strangely, I needed reminding that it is ok to be ok. It is ok to accept these moments of peace as gifts from a generous and loving Father. There is no need to feel guilt, or anxiousness, or unworthiness. No need to dread the next challenge. Surely, one will come. The important thing lies in the ability to stay present with what we know to be true and our gaze to remain focused on Him.
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