Today I was driving by a church that often displays thoughtful messages on their sign near the road. I read this: “If you cannot change your problem try changing your perspective.”
In the words, I get it, but in practice it is a challenge!
Perspective is a point of view, a way of seeing things, a method of judging with fresh thinking, not just emotional analytics. But it is not easy to let emotions go away from a tough situation.
Who among us has not lay in a sleepless night, or wept even with the new day or felt burdened by a concern? Who among us hasn’t cried woe to a friend or prayed into the wee hours of the morning?
Gaining perspective is hard work! Changing one’s perspective is even harder.
I came across an article about changing perspective that came from leadership mentor, speaker and entrepreneur, Sharon Lechter, the co author of the RICH DAD POOR DAD series of books. On her website she speaks of several ways to change one’s point of view.
- Distance yourself from negativity, including people who bring that to you.
- Change your inputs–change what messages you send yourself by seeking sources of positive influence.
- Manage your expectations–don’t hope for someone to change, or for a situation to get better if you ignore it.
- Acknowledge when something is not forever. Prepare for the change.
- Look for some tiny benefit in that awful situation or that difficult person.
Years ago I was in the audience of Dr. Kevin Leman– famous for his 50 some New York Times best selling self help books. I also had a chance meeting with him and his wife at a local restaurant a few summers ago. I am a fan. One of the first books I read of his was THE BIRTH ORDER BOOK. That one brought him some prominent fame.
Later he wrote a series called HAVE A NEW _______BY FRIDAY.
Fill in the blank… husband, kid, friend, job–you get the picture. The bottom line of these very successful books was that YOU needed to change to make the other person or situation seem more bearable. Again, easier said than done.
Scripture has insight.
Matthew 6:34
So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own
James 5:13
Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray. Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises.
Proverbs 4:23
Watch over your heart with all diligence,
For from it flow the springs of life.
Are you bogged down by a problem? Is there a fresh perspective out there somewhere just waiting for you to discover? I pray it is so.
spiritandsoul.net 
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