The way we feel about life and any given situation often has to do with our perspective. Two people can look at the same set of circumstances and have two totally different responses. Take for example having to get up to go to work. One person may get up with dread, while another may get up thanking God they have a job. There are usually at least two ways to look at a circumstance: negatively or positively. How we choose to look at our circumstances can vastly affect both our attitude and our response.
In Numbers 13, the 12 spies come back from Canaan with their report. Ten of the spies gave negative reports:
“31 But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we…33 And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.”
They saw the land was good, but they decided the negatives were too overwhelming to be overcome. They did not even want to try.
On the other hand, Joshua and Caleb were positive and enthusiastic, “30 And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.” They were ready to take the land, fully believing they could overcome any obstacles in their way. What was the difference?
Caleb saw the promise of God, a land flowing with milk and honey. God was fulfilling his promise, and all they had to do was take possession of the land. The others saw themselves through the eyes of their enemies, as grasshoppers, instead of through the eyes of God, as conquerors in His name. It doesn’t matter what those around us think; it only matters what we believe. If we believe God’s promises, and we do our part, God will follow through on his part. If we believe what the world says, we will never even attempt what God calls us to do. We fail before we start.
So, we should face our circumstances from our belief in God, knowing that he is molding us into the person he envisioned us to be. Sometimes that takes us through challenges that look insurmountable, but if we remember that God is on our side as long as we follow His will, we can know that He will make a way for us. It doesn’t matter what the world thinks; it only matters what we believe because our response to circumstances will be a reflection of that belief.
The next time you are tempted to complain about a circumstance, take a moment to reevaluate the situation. Pray and ask God to reveal His will to you. It could make a real difference in your attitude as well as your response no matter what the outcome.