Look at it this way ... or that way

Dear friend

It is possible for two people to look at the same thing, but perceive it differently. The classic example is the glass half full or the glass half empty. This is generally thought of as a rough test of optimistic or pessimistic personality. Our attitude to gospel principles can also be affected by our personal perspective. Such an insight is suggested in the Old Testament, Proverbs 27:7.

7 The full soul loatheth an honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.

I suppose the full soul sees a half empty glass as a trial to finish. The hungry soul sees a half full receptacle as a start to filling their void. A further illustration of seeing things differently comes from the Lord, as recorded in the New Testament, Luke 24:1-4.

1 And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury.
2 And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites.
3 And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all:
4 For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.

This is an example of divine discernment; a more perfect perspective. How we see things can strongly influence how we respond to them. Some people see commandments as restrictions to personal freedom ("thou shalt not ..."). Others see obedience as the chance to accrue beneficent blessings ("if you do this then you get that").

I think it is helpful to occasionally analyse our perspective, in case we are obstructing our options or missing the mark. I believe that in situations of unclear vision, by applying the principle of hope it will help us to see opportunities out of opposition instead of hurdles to happiness.

So I hope we will try to see things more as God sees them, for He sees them as they really are. I pray that our perspectives will be increasingly positive through the Spirit enlightening the eyes of our understanding.

Samuel.