DAY 26

PERSPECTIVE

KIM LAFORGE, CONNECTIONS DIRECTOR, THE WOODS CHURCH

Over the years, I have found myself a bit grumbly about certain tasks or responsibilities. I am not much of a complainer, but in all honesty, I often complained about things I should have counted as blessings. I knew with a little tweaking, I could shift my mindset so I started replacing the words, “have to” with “get to.” It was a game-changer for me. Changing my verbiage, changed my perspective and helped transform my mindset.

The definition of mindset is a person’s established set ofattitudes, beliefs, and mental habits. It's more internal, often ingrained over time.

The word perspective refers to a person’s viewpoint or interpretation of a particular situation, shaped by their mindset, past experiences, or beliefs. When your perspective shifts, it renews your mindset, gradually transforming the way you think and respond.

When I was in school, I used to complain that I had to do homework. But looking back, I realize I got to do homework. I should have been grateful that things came easily to me and that I could finish it quickly. I had the capacity to read and write, abilities that not everyone is blessed with. I got to learn, grow, and put in hard work that would eventually lead to a degree. What felt like a burden was actually a privilege.

When I was raising my boys, I used to complain all the time about making lunches. And I know some of you moms might feel the same way. There’s just something about that particular task that feels so bothersome. I should have been so grateful that I got to make those lunches. I had food to prepare, and more importantly, God had blessed me with two beautiful, healthy boys to care for and raise. Not everyone is given that kind of blessing. What felt like a chore was actually a gift.

Grocery shopping, another mundane task that involves so much thought, planning, time and energy. If only I would have said, “I get to go grocery shopping, I am able to choose food, provide for my family and bless others through hospitality.” There are so many people that struggle to make ends meet, that don’t have the luxury of buying what they need, let alone what they want, and here I was grumbling about it.

There are occasions when I need to schedule time to take my mom or my mother-in-law to a doctor's appointment; sometimes I have to leave work early to do so. I used to see it as something I had to do rather than get to do. I now view those appointments as a sacred season, a time of quality and cherished moments that I am blessed to have with them. I don’t need to worry about how they got there or what they were told because I was the one who got to take them. 

Maybe you see your job as something you have to do. Now listen, I know we all have to work to pay our bills and buy our food but what if we shifted our mindset each day and said, “Thank You Lord for blessing me with the job I get to do so that I can take care of my family. Thank You for the people I get to work with and pour into, thank you for the car I get to drive there.”

Commuting or driving somewhere and being stuck in traffic can be so irritating and feel like a waste of time but something we think we have to do. Instead of being impatient and getting worked up because I have to get from point A to point B, I should be grateful for the built-in quiet time I get to have. Time that I could spend listening to an audiobook, worship music or simply unwinding and resting in my thoughts, which by the way is so difficult for me.

I could continue listing examples of how changing the two words, ‘have to’ to ‘get to’ can help change your perspective and give you a healthy mindset but I think you get what I’m trying to say. This practice may take some work and may be something you have to constantly remind yourself to do but over time, you will see things differently, you will process thoughts differently and you will develop more gratitude for the things you get to do.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2

In that verse, Paul is urging us not to let the practices of the world mold our thinking or our behavior, telling us not to conform to the negative influences around us. We will be faced with temptation but Paul instructs us to be transformed by renewing our mindset which involves constant replacement of old thought patterns. He is encouraging us to open our minds to God’s truth so we can embrace and follow his will for us. I am grateful for Paul’s reminder to renew my mind, and if I’m honest, that takes work. I know that the Lord wants us to live according to what He considers good and pleasing, not what the world sees as pleasing. This world and the people in it can be very influential on our lives and our thoughts. I don’t want to let the world's standards dictate my behavior or my beliefs. The world often defines a good life as one marked by success, wealth, and personal fulfillment. While that may seem appealing, I want to live according to the Lord’s plan for me. His vision for a meaningful life is rooted in obedience, faith, service, and love. I’ve found that when I walk in faith, live obediently, and genuinely love others, my perspective shifts and I carry myself with greater peace, purpose, and joy.

Perspective is powerful, it shapes how we see the world. Perspective influences our attitude and guides our words. So much of how we experience life flows from how we see it. You’ve probably heard the question: Is the glass half full or half empty? But as followers of Christ, we’re invited to see the glass differently, not based on what’s missing but on Who fills it. When our perspective is grounded in God’s truth and focused on His faithfulness, we will see His blessing in the emptiest of places. So today, how do you see your glass? Who are you trusting to fill it?

PRAYER: Father, I am so grateful for Your faithfulness and Your patience with us. Thank You for the reminder today that our perspective should not be influenced by who or what is happening around us and that our mindset should actively replace old or negative thoughts with ones that are aligned with Your will. I confess that my perspective can often be clouded—by fear, hurt, fatigue or distraction. But I don’t want to live conformed to the patterns of this world. I want my mind to be transformed and renewed. I know that when I walk into situations with a “get to” attitude instead of a “have to” attitude, I feel more at peace, more joyful and more positive. I pray that as we get a fresh perspective, we see people and situations as You would see them, that we continue to open our minds to Your truth so we can walk in the will You have created for us. Please continue to show us when our perspective needs to be changed, whether it be in conversation, a task, or in a job that we might have to do-that we may see the opportunity as a blessing we get to do. Amen.