Perspective of Problems
“I pray that you are having a great day!” is the way I typically like to start my emails. Usually there is no response to that statement because it is considered a part of the greeting. There are usually more important items in the meat of the email that supports the purpose of drafting it in the first place. Besides, if this was something in which to respond or address, maybe it should be included on the “Subject” line. However, it is a topic worth considering. Are you having a great day? What constitutes a great day for you? What is stopping you from having a great day? Are there circumstances, obstacles, people, homework or something that hindering you from having a great day?
Paul said in his second letter to the church in Corinth:
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. (2 Corinthians 4:17–KJV).
It is a matter of perspective. How do you view the things that you encounter during your walk along life’s journey? Do you allow the “light afflictions” in our daily experience to dictate whether we are having a great day or not? Could it be that your problems are preparation for a purpose?
Greatness typically comes from adversity. C.S.Lewis said, “Hardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny.” When we look at this passage, it seems that the light afflictions “worketh for us,” not against us, to produce glory. Not just glory, but “a far more exceeding weight of glory.” In the book of Genesis, we see that Joseph had years of problems before he entered into his purpose. Joseph told his brothers:
But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. (Genesis 50:20–KJV)
Now that is what I call “a far more exceeding weight of glory.”
The strongest and wisest of mankind will have problems. No one is exempt. Maybe our perspective of our problems or issues should change to reflect the expectation of what those problems or issues will produce for us.
I pray that you have a great day!
Written by Doug Johnson, Associate Director of Online Student Services