So How many times have your Mole Hills in Life Turned into Mountains ?
I can answer with all Honesty .. that many times My "Moles Hills" in life Quickly if not instantaneously turn into Mountains.
Life really is about perspective. How we view situations ... and sometimes our view can be rather askew.
Have you ever been in a situation where someone spoke words during a conversation that seemed meaningless at the moment .. but later in the day those words seemed to stick with you and you kept revisiting them over and over .. they kind of stuck in your head and just kept creeping up during all the other activities throughout the day and no matter how much you tried to sweep them out of the recesses of your brain they kept coming back quicker and more often and with accompanying thoughts of " So what did she/ he mean by that"... "Who do they think they are" .. " why would they say something so unkind" .. and on and on similar thoughts piled one on the other..... What started out as a minor mole hill which honestly didn't mean a whole lot .. within a short time grew to a mountain filled with frustration.
I've done this umpteen times in life.. about many different types of situations ..
And the one thing I have learned is that life boils down to perspective ... stepping out of SELF .. and really looking over the situation through Gods eyes and not my own before I allow that Mole hill to grow into a Mountain .
It's not always easy I must admit, but the truth is... what in life is easy ? Life is about learning and growing and changing into the Person that we know God would want us to be .. it takes a lot of stretching and re-thinking and working on our inside (our hearts) to become more of the person that God wants us to be ..
I love how Gwen Smith over at Girlfriends in God .. made perspective so easily understandable today ...
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Today’s Truth
I have considered my ways and have turned my steps to your statutes (Psalm 119:59).
I have considered my ways and have turned my steps to your statutes (Psalm 119:59).
Friend to Friend
I gave her instructions for the job. “Clear the furniture from the room, vacuum thoroughly, and then I will show you how to mop the wood floor.” Once my daughter got through the first two of three steps, I joined the cleaning party to teach the age-old-mom-class, "Mopping 101."
Awesome.
Class began with a few mopping fundamentals. “Shake the bottle of the polish before you use it. Do one small section at a time. Mop along the grain of the wood. Put some muscle into it and always - always take a step back to see if you missed any spots.” I gave a quick demonstration then Kennedy took the mop and got busy on her weekend wood-floor polishing project.
As I walked away, it hit me.
The lesson.
In order to see where the polish had been applied on the floor - in order to see if there were any mistakes or overlooked places - a mopper needs to step back and look at things from a different angle. From a fresh perspective.
To gain perspective in life, we often need to step back too: away from our emotions, our plans and our expectations - in order to consider the big picture. The God-picture.
It is so easy to get lost in the drama-filled challenges of life and become overwhelmed by our circumstances. Can I hear an Amen? I do this all the time! I get sucked into the drama of a moment and see only what my emotions allow me to see: a dim, slim and flesh-led view.
Let's be honest, we all have some level of drama and expectations. And that’s not a bad thing. But when our emotions lead our responses, it can be difficult to see beyond our moments and mountains. When our hearts are consumed by the emotions of a moment, we can lose sight of what honors God and what really matters.
So what's a woman to do?
Take a step back. Pray. Ask God for vision and perspective. Consider His Word. Remember His power, provision, and plan. Move beyond self-led reactions to Spirit-led responses. The late pastor and theologian A.W. Tozer wrote, "Sometimes when we get overwhelmed we forget how big God is."
So true.
Our perspectives change in God’s presence. We gain clarity and peace when we adapt God's perspective instead of our own. His sight is pure, full of grace and eternal – while our sight is often imperfect, narrow and worried about the now. Proverbs 16:3 says, "Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans."
David stepped back in awe of God’s love. “When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?” (Psalm 8:3-4)
He reflected on his own ways verses God’s ways. “I meditate on your precept and consider your ways.” (Psalm 119:15) “I have considered my ways and have turned my steps to your statutes.” (Psalm 119:59)
Jesus also encourages us to step back from worries and fears. ““Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?” (Luke 12:24-26) When we consider the ways that God has provided in the past, it helps us to trust Him in the present.
Kennedy rocked the mop that day in our kitchen because she heeded my directions and consistently drew back to gain perspective on her polishing. Step back today and position yourself in His grace. Consider the big picture. Lay your day, your plans, your thankfulness, your people, your problems, your wins and your losses before God. Trust His ability to work in and through it all. Relish the perspective and peace that rises and then be prepared for those around you to be drawn to the able, faithful God who is at work within you.
Let’s Pray
Dear Lord, I know I need to step away from my emotions, expectations, and plans. I want Your perspective and to respond in ways that please You. Please cover me again with grace, order my steps, and equip me fresh with Your Spirit.
Dear Lord, I know I need to step away from my emotions, expectations, and plans. I want Your perspective and to respond in ways that please You. Please cover me again with grace, order my steps, and equip me fresh with Your Spirit.
In Jesus’ Name I pray,
Amen.
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May You weekend be full of Beauty .. and full of Love of God..
( don't forget to join me tomorrow for "Can it Forward Day" )
