Encouragement for Today - Sept. 18, 2007
A Different Perspective
By Zoë Elmore
“My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.
”2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)
Devotion:
Our youngest son is studying to be a pilot. Three days after he received his initial pilot’s license Joseph invited his dad and I to a nearby airport for a “flight.” Now I must tell you that I’m claustrophobic and don’t like small planes, but I was determined not to let my fears stand in the way of celebrating our son’s accomplishment. Tom and I met our son at a rural airport and made our way to an old, tiny plane. Tom climbed in the back seat and I beside our son in the co-pilot’s seat.
It was a perfect day for flying; clear blue sky and not a cloud in sight. As we taxied down the runway and took off I could hear my son talking over the headset to ground control (just a man sitting at a desk... I told you it was a rural airport) giving our coordinates and flight plan. What a proud moment for parents! We had only been up in the air ten minutes when my son looked at me from the corner of his sunglasses and said over the headset, “Hey mom, I’m going to show you a maneuver the FAA required me to do before giving me my pilot’s license.” At that moment Joseph pointed the nose of the plane straight toward heaven and stalled the engine. You can guess what happened next, the nose of the plane didn’t point toward heaven any longer, it pointed straight down to the ground. Now, I’ve never spoken in tongues before but let me just say that day, knowing my son could hear everything I’d say and not wanting him to hear my fearful prayer fest, I took off my head set and then began praying in every tongue imaginable for the Lord to send his largest and strongest angels to rescue us from certain death!
After a few seconds that seemed like minutes I noticed my son pulling levers and turning knobs, and before I knew it he had righted the plane and returned us to our proper altitude. Once my heart had taken its rightful place back in my chest I opened my eyes and began to look out the window and I saw some pretty amazing sights. Rock quarries, deep and brilliant azure water surrounded by sparkling white rocks, incredible farm land untouched by housing developers and miles of towering pine trees. It was absolutely breathtaking. I’ve traveled the highway running parallel to all of this land literally hundreds of times yet I never knew these breathtaking sights even existed. Soon our flight was over and we landed at the tiny little airport. We hugged our son, expressed our pride in his accomplishment and headed home.
All the way home I heard the Lord speaking to my heart, “Zoe, I know your life appears to be spinning out of control just like that tiny plane.” Just like your son knew how to recover the plane’s engine; I know exactly what I’m doing in your life. I see and know the things you are going through, but if you will begin to see your life from a different perspective you will notice there is beauty even in the midst of these difficult days.”
“Oh Lord, you’re right, I’ve been focused on the discomfort of my life’s difficulties and I’ve forgotten about Your sovereign hand allowing everything I’m experiencing for my good and Your glory. Someone said it best,' we should put our problems into perspective by saying ‘Problem, here is my God!'" because there is no problem You cannot handle in our lives.”
By making my problems my focus, I was easily discouraged and forgot I have a God who sustains me. When I changed my perspective, and made God the object and the focus of my life, I again experienced the peace that comes through a life of trust
Dear Lord, I confess I’ve turned my attention to my trails and my comfort. Forgive me and lift my perspective. Show me the beauty in the midst of these difficulties. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
What Happens When Women Walk in Faith by Lysa TerKeurst
God Is Not Through With Me Yet by Thelma Wells
Application Steps:
In your journal, list your challenges.
Read Psalm 136
Right the refrain from this verse beside each challenge and trial listed in your journal.
Reflections:
What is keeping you from changing your perspective?
Who can hold you accountable for lifting your perspective?
Power Verses:
I Corinthians 10:13, “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” (NIV)
Psalm 136, “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.
Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures forever.
Give thanks to the Lord of lords: His love endures forever.
To him who alone does great wonders, His love endures forever.
Who by his understanding made the heavens, His love endures forever.
Who spread out the earth upon the waters, His love endures forever.
Who made the great lights-- His love endures forever.
The sun to govern the day, His love endures forever.
The moon and stars to govern the night; His love endures forever.”
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G,
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
