4 Perspective Shifts That Can Dramatically Impact How You Feel

In life, perspective can make or break you.

Your viewpoint, the way you think about and interpret your experiences and relationships, the angle from which you see yourself, the opposite sex, your career or calling, and God --matters.

Your perspective could see a roadblock as a necessary detour [so you can learn a needed lesson], or as a dead end [like a sign to quit]. How you interpret any given situation is "reality" to you. Have you ever heard someone say, "It's just the reality of the situation?" 

How you perceive the "reality" of a situation will dictate your actions, reactions or inaction. For example: single women are you seeing your singleness as problematic or purposeful?  

Perspective was important to Jesus too.

As rumors spread about Jesus' identity, the people weren't sure if he was the the Messiah, a prophet or the one they called John the Baptist. Jesus, aware of the rumors, wasn't moved by their mistaking his identity. He was more interested in how his disciples viewed him because there would come a time when they would have to represent him in his absence, so he asked them, "But who do you say that I am?" 

Peter answered him, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God."

Jesus knew that Peter's perspective [enlightenment of who he was], was divinely given. Immediately, Jesus went on to bless Peter with greater authority (Matthew 16:13-19). 

Your perspective can empower or disempower you.

This past week, I had the pleasure of leading a diverse group of women from the dirty south, east coast, midwest, Nigeria and Ireland [hey Ivy!] through the "Awaken Your Amazing Self" 5 Day Fasting & Prayer Challenge.

The focus of the challenge was to awaken [and in some instances confront] the way women of faith see themselves, especially in relationship to God and others. We experienced the power of a shift in PERSPECTIVE, and collectively walked away with a better understanding of light's authority over any areas of darkness.

"...seeing beyond all that gets in the way is far from easy. It requires us to acknowledge and begin to engage with the multitude of opinions, beliefs, wounds and attachments that shape our realities, many of which are subconscious." -Anna da Costa

There were so many gems shared during the "Awaken" Fasting & Prayer Challenge, but I wanted to offer some biblical insights we reviewed that can help shift your perspective, and positively impact how you feel...

4 Perspective Shifts That Can Dramatically Impact How You Feel:

from Just another Man to the Messiah: If Jesus is just a man or a God that was present 2,000+ years ago, then why would you expect Him to act on your behalf today? Deep down inside you wouldn't, right? How you perceive Jesus is important: is he the"The Messiah, the Son of the living God," or just another man in a biblical story? Who do you say He is? Your perspective will shape how you pray, how you live, how you love, how you view humanity and your place in the world.

from Pain to Pleasure: Take delight! (Psalm 37:4) Drawing closer to God doesn't have to be drab or ultra religious. Think about it this way: there are hidden things that God wants to reveal to you, about who He is, who you are and why you were created. As you begin to #GetEngaged [tuning into yourself and God more], overtime you will grow to "take delight" in discovering God's best for you, in life and love.

from Independent to Cooperative: This world will have you caught up thinking "if you don't do it ALL, it won't or can't get done." Meanwhile, God wants to co-create and collaborate with you, and is looking for opportunities to bless you with assistance, unexpected gifts and unmerited favor from people you don't even know. If your perspective is of this world, which urges you to "do you, do you, do you," then you risk missing out on what God is trying to do with you, through community.

from Insignificant to Indispensable: There is no member of the body of Christ or in the human race who is insignificant to God, but what if you perceive yourself as unimportant given the number of human beings who were, are and will be? The challenge for each of us is to see ourselves as God does, AND to believe we honor ourselves and God when we contribute our part [of the body], irregardless of how big or how small it is to this life. 

"God so arranged the body, giving the greater honor to the inferior member." -1 Corinthians 12:24 NRSV

Remember: If your perspective [your heart] is healthy, your decisions and quality of life will follow. How did this blog speak to you? Comment and feel free to leave a question below.

Much Love, 

Tiffany Wilson, M.Div aka @tiffytalks

Are you familiar with the Know Your Worth Brunch? We're in the process of planning a NEW #KYWBrunch that might be the first co-ed one, but we need your feedback. Please take 2 minutes to fill out this brief survey. Click here to complete the #KYWBrunch survey. Thank you, thank you.