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7 Verses to Help You Find a Better Perspective

7 Verses to Help You Find a Better Perspective

Why is it so easy to listen to someone express their anxieties and offer them a sound solution, but when we ourselves do the talking, the answer is so unclear? Suffering has a way of inducing emotional blindness. We want to find an answer to our problems but can’t think straight enough to find one. Rather, instead of answers, we have questions. Questions about ourselves, our situations, and our God. One of the most common questions we ask is, “Why me?”

The young college graduate who submitted over a hundred applications, but has not heard back from anyone. Why me?

The woman who has desperately wanted to become a mother, only to discover she is infertile. Why me?

The father who has lived to see all of his children pass away. Why me?

When Our Faith Is Challenged

Big or small, suffering comes to us in various doses, and hardly ever in a way that we choose. If we’re not careful, our once upbeat perspective of God can become shattered. If our outlook is not initially upbeat, then we risk deconstructing our faith altogether.

Asking questions of God is natural. He does not despise our concerns. On the contrary, He invites them. Job asked questions of God. David asked questions of God. Maybe believers before us have asked questions of God. Those questions deepened their faith.

Where we go astray is when we allow those questions to not lead us toward God in fervent prayer, but toward doubt and unfaithfulness. Questions should bring us closer to Him, not further away. 

That may be hard to understand, or believe in the moment, but as believers, what we must remember is that no matter what we think, no matter what we feel, there are certain truths we ought to remember about God. Truths that keep us anchored. 

God is good.

God is for you.

God loves you more than anyone else.

God loves you more than yourself.

When your faith is challenged, when you don’t have the answer you long for, you can still strive to maintain a perspective centered on the Lord. Instead of asking why me, ask, why not me?

If we are all sinners living in a fallen world, what makes any of us above suffering? Scripture is clear, we deserve death (Romans 6:23). Each of us. That’s the full and deserving consequence of sin, but instead of that, through Christ, we can find new life. Through Christ, we find a better perspective. 

As Paul said, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us” (Romans 8:18).

Life is hard and full of suffering, but much like our Savior, we can overcome the world with His help.

If you are still having doubts and can’t seem to shake that bleak perspective, then spend some time in God’s Word and study these seven verses to help you find a better perspective.

7 Verses to Help You Find a Better Perspective

Casting all your cares on him, because he cares about you.” (1 Peter 5:7)

There’s not one burden you have to carry alone. Even when no person seems to be in your corner, rest assured, God has your back. He is always present and always willing to listen.

“Consider the birds of the sky: They don’t sow or reap or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you worth more than they?” (Matthew 6:26)

Sometimes we don’t see God’s provision when we look at our own lives. Sometimes we need a wider perspective, one that takes into account what He does for other people, even the animals.

“When I observe your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you set in place, what is a human being that you remember him, a son of man that you look after him?” (Psalm 8:3-4)

These words highlight the significance God gave humanity when He made us. Of all His creations, we bear His image. Your problems might suggest that you are irrelevant to God, but that is diametrically opposed to the truth.

Indeed, the hairs of your head are all counted. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” (Luke 12:7)

Another reminder of how intricately God has planned our lives and how much He loves us.

Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord cares for me.” (Psalm 27:10)

Many of the troubles we face in life involve other people. In the midst of conflict, we find ourselves in contention with some of the people closest to us. Thankfully, even when relationships falter with family, friends, and coworkers, God’s love remains.

“The Lord is my shepherd; I have what I need. He lets me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside quiet waters. He renews my life; he leads me along the right paths for his name’s sake.

Even when I go through the darkest valley,  I fear no danger, for you are with me; your rod and your staff—they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:1-4)

Life has its ups and downs, but through them all, we can know with certainty that God walks with us. There is no reason to fear, no reason to quit, no reason to forsake the faith.

“But I have trusted in your faithful love; my heart will rejoice in your deliverance. I will sing to the Lord because he has treated me generously.” (Psalm 13:6)

God treats us more generously than we deserve. And in His generosity, He offers deliverance. In this life, or in the one to come, but deliverance is assured.

Conclusion

The next time you find yourself questioning and doubting God, asking Him, “Why Me?” take some time to pause. Reconsider the question. Then ask, “Why not me?” Naturally, we have the desire not to suffer, but too often we forget the merits of suffering. Hardships bring us closer to God. They enrich our faith and shape us into people who more closely resemble Christ.

Indeed, suffering isn’t easy, but suffering is a part of life. An inescapable truth that will always make itself known. Thankfully, God’s love is a truth that will always make itself known and will therefore, always give us reason for a better perspective.

Photo Credit: Unsplash/Laurenz Kleinheider 


headshot of author Aaron BrownAaron D'Anthony Brown is a freelance writer, hip-hop dance teacher, and visual artist, living in Virginia. He currently contributes work to iBelieve, Crosswalk, and supports various clients through the platform Upwork. He's an outside-the-box thinker with a penchant for challenging the status quo. Check out his short story “Serenity.”