I can remember sitting with a friend over lunch.

Her daughter had recently returned home from college for summer break. My friend was thrilled to have her daughter home but also a bit concerned.

You see…

Her daughter had arrived upset with everyone! Her profs and teachers were uninformed and unhelpful. Her friends were unkind and unappreciative. And her roommate was the WORST! She wasn’t even sure she could take living with her the following semester.

My wise friend listened patiently to her child go on and on for a few days until she finally said, “You know how much I love you and I’m very sorry you’re going through this but I can’t help but think there is one common denominator in every one of these relationships.”

I will never forget her words because although I laughed with her at the “me” focus our children can have at times, I couldn’t help but wonder how often I’ve been the “common denominator” in one of my own bad days, or weeks, or longer.

How many times have I taken my bad mood, my insecurities, my quick to judge attitudes, my “I know I’m right” opinions (okay, well you get the idea) into a conversation where I should have listened with kindness, compassion, and love.

It’s hard though, isn’t it? Sometimes I want to be self-absorbed and “me” focused. Sometimes I want other people to take care of me … or just do it my way for a change.

I can almost see you nodding your head.

But there’s a problem … that attitude never makes me happy. If you’d like to know why, check out How to Have a Perspective that will Make You Happy.

As I looked back over those words from the other day, I realized that many of the tips began with “Ask God…”

So today, that’s exactly what I’m going to do! I’m asking God to give me a new perspective … one that will glorify Him, bless my relationships, and as an added bonus, maybe even make me happy.

5 Verses to Pray When You Need a New Perspective

Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things He does for me.
He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases.
He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies.
He fills my life with good things.

Psalm 103:2–5

Oh, Father, when I’m tempted to be “me” focused and self absorbed, please help me turn to You. Help me remember all the things You have done for me in the past, and quite honestly all You are doing for me today … I woke up, I can see, hear, taste, touch, and smell. I have a roof over my head and food to eat. And most important, I have You! I have faith and the peace-filled assurance that I can trust Your promises. Help me focus on Your goodness and mercy today and all the days of my life. Give me a new perspective.

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Romans 12:2

Father, forgive me. There are so many voices all claiming to speak the truth. Telling me Your Word is outdated and misinterpreted. I have to admit, the people shouting the loudest seem so very unhappy and distressed.

Father, I ask You to give me wisdom and strength. And by the power of Your Spirit as I study Your Word and turn to You in prayer … guide me by Your truth. Transform my thinking that I might know Your will for me … Your good, pleasing, and perfect will which I believe is the only true way for me to have a new perspective and enjoy peace, hope, and joy each day.

You must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. 

2 Peter 3:8

It’s so easy to grow impatient, Father. Honestly, I would like my prayers to have been answered yesterday. I want health restored and relationships repaired. I want peace and kindness to prevail. I want people to listen and understanding to win the day. I want to see lives surrendered to Your love.

I pray and I pray and wait and wait and time goes on. Please give me an eternal perspective. Help me remember that it’s all under Your control. You are at work in my life and the lives of the people I love answering prayers in Your perfect way at Your perfect time. Please give me everything to focus on You and trust Your love as I wait.

For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

Philippians 4:13

And Father, on those days when I’m tempted to lose the perspective and attitudes You want for me … give me the strength I need for this moment and help me go confidently into each one knowing You will give me all I need to live for You.

For Jesus Christ, the Son of God, does not waver between “Yes” and “No” … and as God’s ultimate “Yes,” He always does what He says. For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for His glory.

2 Corinthians 1:19–20

Father, thank you for Jesus. It doesn’t matter what the world says … Jesus is the answer. It doesn’t matter how I feel, whether or not I’m having a good day, or even if others agree … Jesus is the Way, Truth, and Life.

Every promise You have ever made is fulfilled in Jesus. Please help me surrender this day, my mood, my attitudes, and my perspective to You … so that in all I do and say I might follow Your will and live for Your glory. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.

What am amazing blessing it is to know that even though you and I are completely incapable of getting this new perspective on our own … God not only wants to give it to us, He has given us His Spirit to live with and within us to transform and empower us.

The presence of the Spirit is able to help us look at life a whole new joy-inducing way!

This Week’s Friday Favorites

Highlight Posts of the Week!

When Special Needs Truly are Special
and Labels are Over-rated

by Jen Avellaneda
@ Rich Faith Rising

Are You Stuck Between Your Calling and Real Life?

by and @ Rebecca Hastings

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