1698) When I taught high school Bible in North Carolina, I had several male students who were around 6’ 7” tall. I remember one day when 4 of these young men surrounded me and I laughed as I look so far up into their faces.

When you are as tall as these young men, you have a different perspective than others who are more vertically challenged. If you’d like to see for yourself, simply stand on a chair and look around the room. Better yet, sit on the floor and look around. What you see is another perspective. This different perspective can be useful.

Psalm 34:10 tells us the lions may suffer and need food, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. I don’t think many of us disagree with this verse but when you dig deeper, it may be a little uncomfortable.

There are many things that happen in our lives that are overwhelming and horrible. It’s easy to only see the pain, hurt and suffering, but if we take a moment to see these events in a different perspective, it can be helpful.

 Maybe I’m going through these difficulties because others are going to show up in my life that need the help of someone experienced with this situation. Maybe I need to be misunderstood in order to gain the wisdom that this happens in all relationships; making forgiveness and grace to cover it. Maybe I need to experience the total love and acceptance of an animal and then the pain that comes with losing them in order to see the beauty of love in a world full of bad things.

Perspective is a valuable tool for those who follow God. What’s in your toolbox?