Do You Need to Look at Things Another Way?
The photo above comes from the moment when the following dialogue takes place in Wicked, The Musical.
Elphaba: I wish I could be beautiful… for you.
Fiyero: Elphaba…
Elphaba: Don’t tell me that I am, you don’t need to lie to me.
Fiyero: It’s not lying! It’s… uh… it’s looking at things another way.
Elpheba the green “witch” loves her instructors, animals, and is learning to appreciate her classmates. Because of her green skin and rumors many of her peers think she is wicked, but those who took the time to get to know her see . . . she is beautiful. Fiyero saw her kind heart and that made him look at things another way.
Do You Need to Look at Things Another Way?
I do. Here are some things I continue to true to see differently:
- Making friends with the mirror and not analyzing every flaw.
- Making housework and exercise fun and not a chore.
- Telling myself that someone’s “annoying habit” is cute and charming not losing patience.
- Becoming satisfied with what I have not wanting more.
- Understanding that God’s “wait” may be for my protection.
I’ve realized I will never look at these things another way if I insist I thinking about them the same old way. I will never change my actions if I continue in self-defeating thinking. Never!
5 Ways to See Look at Things Another Way
1. Recognize Self-defeating (negative) Thinking. – Any sentence that begins “I am not . . . ” leads to limiting behavior. Any sentence that begins “I am . . . ” and ends with a negative word leads to discouragement, unhappiness and inaction.
2. Set Goals for Change – Start with baby steps by setting easily attainable goals. Any goal achieved helps to change the way you and I think about ourselves.
3. Pay Attention to the Positive – Find one thing you like about yourself or the person who drives you crazy. (Come on they must have ONE good quality.) Each time you’re tempted to be negative replace those thoughts with positive ones. Write them down if you have to.
4. Do Something for Someone Else – It’s almost impossible to feel bad about yourself when you’re doing something nice for someone else. Compassion for them will help you look beyond the surface into their heart. A win/win. You feel better about yourself and get to know them better.
5. Stop, Breathe, and Thank God – Take a few moments throughout the day to slow down, take a deep breath, and thank God . . . it will change your perspective. If I had known all the good that would come out of difficult times I would have been better at “thanking God in all circumstances.”
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
“It’s not lying, it’s looking at things another way.”
Paul said in 2 Corinthians 12:
Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time He said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. v. 8-9
We don’t know what “tormented” Paul, but we do know . . . with God’s help he learned to look at things another way.
The man who once wanted to kill followers of Christ became a follower himself . . . He looked at things another way. A better way.
With God’s help you and I can see things another way. A better way. God’s grace is all we need. Because when His grace is at work in our weakness – the power of Christ Jesus can work through us and touch others.
What do you think . . . are you ready to look at things another way?
There are times I look at things the way others do and there are also times I like to be different. What I really want is to look at it through the eyes of Jesus. To wear His lenses.
Amen Bill! Truly the best way to look at life is through the eyes of Jesus. Blessings to you!
With Christ’s help, we can see others as God sees them, and learn to love ourselves just as we are, flaws and all.
Blessings, Deb!
That is my prayer Martha. His help and His eyes.
Isn’t it just like grace to filter our vision so that we see things through new lenses and look beyond the temporal to the eternal? 🙂
Of the 5 steps, #1 is really hard to break for me…about me. 🙂 And #5 has become a mantra… “Stop, Breathe, Give Thanks!” 🙂
Blessings Deb!
Dawn
And #5 helps me with #1. If I’m giving thanks my thoughts are more positive. Always praying to look at things the way the Lord wants me to. By his grace. Always by His grace.
I LOVE this post, Deb!
LIfe has been pretty tough on us the last few years and we have managed to remain content (if not become more content) because God is faithful and because we have learned to see the positive rather than dwell on the negative.
It hasn’t been easy but rather a discipline we have created with much effort and intention.
We have learned to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, ignore the lies while focusing on the voice of truth, and choose to see the good even in the bad.
Our perspectives really are everything. Thanks for the encouragement! (Visiting from Creative Home Keeper!)
Aw, thank you Heather. I think I’ve learned more contentment through difficult times too. It’s where the Lord taught me that His grace really is sufficient. A huge huge blessing!
So much good in this post. I had a mother who lived these points so I had a good example. Her solution to all life’s disappointments was to go do something for someone else. It does change our outlook. Thank you for reminding me of these.
Pam, what a blessing to have a mother live this for you. My mom always encouraged me to look at other people’s perspectives. I wasn’t thrilled with it at the time, but as an adult I’m thankful it’s a lesson learned.
Great tips, Deb! and I’m with Bill, praying for Jesus glasses 🙂 Have a great rest of the week!
Me too, June. Jesus glasses! Amen!
You were sure right: This is a grab a pen and paper, and let’s dig into what makes you come alive. I’m going to have to come back and work on it some more. I’m a Creative but I really can’t figure out what that looks like for me.
Oh dear, Deb. You were still up and I just put another’s comments here. Please forgive my senior moment!
Fantastic, Deb! I grew up listening to my beloved yet ridiculously pessimistic dad. I was a flaming optimist for a while to try and counterbalance it, but would sometimes just be a Negative Nancy all around. Since walking with the Lord, He has changed my perspective… Showing me actually how to do the things you mentioned here.
PS: I love Wicked. Such a great musical. Ah.