Sunny Perspective

The sun refused to break through the gray, overcast sky for more than week. Everything seemed damp, dreary and depressing. It had been a rough week and I was ready for some sunshine. I mentioned this to my dad, and all he said was, “Let’s go.”

We drove to the airport where we pulled out the airplane, did our pre-check, and then taxied and took off. Dad was flying that day since he had his instrument rating, and soon we were up and through the clouds. Oh, what a glorious sight! On the top side of that gloomy cloud bank was a glorious transformation. The sun brightly reflected off the cotton-ball, fluffy clouds. Instantly, my perspective was altered. The clouds had not changed and neither had the sun. What had was my vantage point.

The revelation of that day still resonates with me over 30 years later. I reflect on that experience when discouragement, depression or grumpiness creeps in. I ponder my

situation like those clouds; it may not change, but that doesn’t mean I shouldn’t change my perspective.

Gloomy days come. Life doesn’t hand us what we want. Yet, I control my attitude toward those days and events. If I allow God to illuminate the situation through His Word, just like the sun did on those clouds, I can gain His perspective on the mountain (or molehill) I am facing.

Gray clouds may come in the form of sickness, an unexpected expense, a lost job, a strained relationship, just to name a few. Yet God’s Word tells of greater promise and purpose beyond the current pain.

Romans 8:28 promises, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Even when we don’t see the good yet, we can trust that God is working it all together and can bring good out of a bad situation. God doesn’t cause the bad things to happen, but He can transform them into something even better than we could imagine for ourselves.

Proverbs 3:5-6 declares, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.” And most Christians are familiar with Philippians 4:19, “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Isaiah 53:5 assures us that God is our healer, “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.”

When we view our problems from the perspective of these promises, we see we can trust God to work all things together for His good. He is directing our steps. He is providing for all our needs. He is our healer.

If you are facing gray clouds today, change your perspective by reading promises from God’s Word. This vantage point will be life-changing and release the joy that comes from Him alone.