Perspective is about seeing the bigger picture and right-sizing our problems. Let me explain.

When you are looking through a camera lens and want to see more of whatever you’re looking at, you zoom out or go to a wide-angle. You get a clearer picture about what is happening because you can see more.

This same logic about perspective can be applied to life.

When we are going through hardship, we tend to zero-in on our problems. We focus on them. They take over our thoughts. Re-gaining perspective is about zooming out to get more information. This results in a clearer picture about what is truly going on.

One of the biblical passages which helps us re-gain perspective is Psalm 46. God’s people and city were in trouble. They were at risk—not only of attack, but of forgetting that God is truly God. So God provided a reminder about the big picture: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way…” (verses 1-2).

You might not be living in ancient Jerusalem, but you most likely have your own problems. That same God is your God. He is also your refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble; therefore, you don’t need to fear, either.

This insight does not necessarily mean that your problems will go away; it does means that they are not the only or defining realities in your life. Psalm 46 helps us zoom out and go wide-angle. We may still have our problems, but they don’t need to dominate our point of view.

Perspective isn’t everything. But it’s something. Do you need to zoom out and focus more on what you might be missing?

Perspective is about seeing the bigger picture and right-sizing our problems.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way…”

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Notes:

–Bible quotes are from the NIV.