It’s all about Perspective

For much of my life I struggled with Depression. I do give God the glory for healing me from it so that I do not go into the dark abyss any longer. At the same time, I also recognize that Depression itself is multifaceted and there are a few things I have learned in self-care that help to keep it in check,

Some of these are watching my diet (high sugar drinks can lift me up and then the crash will have emotional effects as well as physical)

Or setting healthy boundaries; I used to have a tendency to push myself too hard at work and give more of myself in time and relationships which left me both physically, mentally, and emotionally drained.

And while I do believe that God has healed me. I also will admit that does not mean I do not have my low times. There are still times when I don’t wake up ready to take on the world. When I just don’t feel like getting out of bed at all and just wish I could sleep all day instead of facing the world.

One such time recently I was lying in bed and felt the Holy Spirit speak to me concerning Isaiah 40:31 But those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not faint.

So often we can look at this scripture and glean most from it the point of renewing our strength. But one aspect to a renewed strength and vigor is a renewed perspective. It is hard to feel energized or enthusiastic about anything when all you see are the struggles and the problems in your life your work, your relationships. It can be defeating and draining. God said to me, when you wait on me you will renew your strength because you will mount up on wings like eagles.

When eagles fly, they catch the currents of wind and soar upwards, but from the heights they get a view of the landscape a view of the world that you cannot get from the ground. It looks totally different from those elevations.

In John Bunyan’s Book “Pilgrim’s Progress” the man with the muckrake was the one who would only look down at the muck he continually raked toward himself refusing to turn his eyes heavenward to see things differently. That is a defeated depressing existence, and a condition we can all fall into.

Isaiah 55:8-9 tells us “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

So, when we wait upon the Lord, we rise to higher levels and gain a higher perspective. We begin to see things the way God sees them and think more in line with the way God thinks.

What does it mean then to “Wait upon the Lord”? Well, the original Hebrew language gives a sense of gathering together to Him with a sense of faith and expectation.   

So, when you start to feel like all you can see around you is trouble or sadness, it’s time to wait upon the Lord. Come to Him, seek Him in faith for a new way of looking at your situation and see if it doesn’t change your perspective just a little bit. Maybe from new heights your problems will look a little smaller and the possibilities will look a little bigger. 

When you soar on wings like eagles the landscape of your life can be beautiful.