"It's possible
for people to look at the same thing and see it differently.
That's called
perspective."
Brad Henderson
I have learned much through my involvement in Moms in Prayer
International but one of the most valuable things has been to begin prayer with
praise using God's own Word. When we begin prayer in this manner, we begin with
corrected vision. We see our circumstances through the eyes and character of
the Most High God instead of our circumstances. That is, our perspective
changes, and—
Perspective changes everything.
As we praise the Lord God through His own words—reflecting
on, thinking on, declaring and perceiving the vastness, worthiness, and
strength of God—we honor God for Who He is. We "put" Him in His
rightful position as Creator and Sovereign over the looming large to the minute
details of the universe. As we declare His reality through praise, our
perception is changed and sharpened.
Praise magnifies God. Our vision is filled with a God that
is bigger than we imagined. Best of all,
we experience a wonderful awareness of His presence and hear His words—“Courage! I AM!”
He is a BIG God, completely faithful, trustworthy, and good!
Praise changes the pray-er, because it is centered on God.
And what we center our lives on is what determines our perspective. To quote
Steven Covey—
Whatever is at the center of your life
will be the source of your
strength, guidance, wisdom, and power.
Praise results in a deepened confidence, or trust, in
God. When that happens, we can know the
rest of God in any situation. Teaching
on Ecclesiastes 3, Brad Henderson said, in contrast to the "brutality"
of life "under the sun"—
The events of life "from the hand of God" are …
beautiful,
enjoyable, secure, and perfect.
The details of life can often be
difficult, but the plan of God is good. That is because His plan is filtered
through His holiness and love. And praise reminds us of that. That is what
Habakkuk discovered. Praise made all the difference for him as his perspective
changed to see the triumph of God—
Even though the fig trees have no blossoms,
and there are no grapes on the vines;
even though the olive crop fails,
and the fields lie empty and barren;
even though the flocks die in the fields,
and the cattle barns are empty,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord!
I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!
The Sovereign Lord is my strength!
He makes me as surefooted as a deer,
able to tread upon the heights.
Habakkuk 3:17-19
So let us praise and fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and
perfecter of our faith. (Hebrews 12:2 NASB)
Perspective changes everything!
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