Skip to main content

The Jesus Perspective by Martin Wiles

A negative occurrence or a positive event; it depends on how I interpret it.

Perspective. Defined, it’s my point of view about particular experiences. But I’ve come to realize it can be flawed…or completely erroneous.  I once considered being knocked off my feet for a week by a bleeding ulcer combined with the lengthy recuperation period as an aggravating interruption to my important life. In reality, it helped rearrange my priorities. Having a negative attitude about financial struggles was also perhaps unwise. Struggling with these issues taught me to make better choices in my spending and saving.

Jesus’ perspective was also different than the norm. Absence of all forms of struggle equals peace for some, but Jesus spoke about another type of peace. I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give (John 14:27 NLT).

As happiness depends on happenings while joy is determined by a relationship with Jesus, so some experience peace only when there’s a total absence of conflict. The peace Jesus gives…the peace the world can’t understand, isn’t related to circumstances-pleasant or not.

Jesus’ initial peace comes through an affiliation with him. Once the connection is made, continual peace is experienced by remembering he knows the beginning from the end of any given happening. The end may not appear good to us, but he’ll make it good for us…just as a conscientious parent uses discipline and restriction for the good of their child even though the child may not understand it. Absence of conflict isn’t required to experience Jesus’ peace; we can know it even in the most trying situations.

Want the Jesus perspective? Don’t worry, pray about everything, thank God for all he’s done, and tell him what you need (Philippians 4:6).

Prayer: Father we thank You for controlling all of our life events. Grant us the peace that comes from realizing You’re in control because You love us with the greatest love.

Try one of my wife's favorite recipes. Visit the Recipe Room.
Labels:

Comments

  1. Gail @ http://biblelovenotes.comMarch 16, 2013 at 7:17 AM

    So true. I like your explanation: "Absence of all forms of struggle equals peace for some"...I know it is easy for me to fall into this definition of peace. Thanks for this reminder, Martin.
    Gail

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Obeying God’s Schedule - Martin Wiles

Jesus turned around, and when he saw her he said, “Daughter, be encouraged! Your faith has made you well.” Matthew 9:22 NLT Schedules are made to be broken. According to the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator personality test, I’m a judger. I like structure and organization. While I can be spontaneous on occasion, it’s not my preferred way of life. I’m also time conscious. I’ve been wearing a watch since I was in first grade. Schedules are important, and I like to be ahead of time for whatever the agenda holds. Keeping and checking off a list gives me an adrenaline rush. In college, I completed all my projects ahead of time. Some of these traits were inborn, but being the firstborn child and living with parents who had similar traits made it certain I’d be a judger.  John’s gospel, especially, makes it evident that Jesus journeyed on a divine schedule. Many were told not to tell that he had healed them or cast out their demons simply because Jesus didn’t want his ministry to end p...
16 comments
Read more

Bears or Gators? Believer or Non-Believer? - Melissa Henderson

So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living thing with which the water teems and that moves about in it, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:21 NIV   “What do you mean there are gators in the neighborhood?”  Moving from central Virginia to South Carolina's Lowcountry brought new adventures. Learning about alligators, blue skinks, armadillos, and other creatures led to excitement but also a bit of worry. One of the most interesting parts of living in a new state was adapting to the weather and different animals. Would we prefer the bears of Virginia or the gators of the South? As my husband and I became accustomed to the humidity and scorching heat of the Deep South, we began referring to ourselves as “South Carolinians.” We laughed as we noticed folks wearing long-sleeved shirts and coats when temperatures reached sixty degrees in the Lowcountry. In Virginia, that temperature was...
10 comments
Read more

Connecting to the Creator - Martin Wiles

It was the Lord’s Day, and I was worshiping in the Spirit. Revelation 1:10 NLT I’ve done it all my life—whether I wanted to or not. Going to church was never an option. Dad was a preacher, and PK’s went to church … often. Our particular church tradition held services three times weekly, in addition to special activities on other days. I had to attend each one. After moving out, I had the option of going, but still went. When my parents made me go, I sometimes didn’t want to. But when I could stay home, I rarely did. Worship is what the apostle John did on the Lord’s Day. As he did, God spoke to him and told him to write things that would happen in the future. Things God’s people needed to hear and respond to. Beyond everything else, worship concerns giving God the glory and praise He deserves. He is our creator and deliverer, and we should celebrate that through worship. But worship involves us also. We have needs that require attention and decisions that deman...
1 comment
Read more