How Do You Change Your Perspective?

I used to have a big garden, and one fall I harvested these monster sweet potatoes!

At first, I was dismayed. “Surely, they can’t be tasty!” I thought. “Is it worth digging up the rest of them?”

That’s what I thought at first. But what if my perspective was wrong? Besides, I couldn’t change the situation. And look at them. Aren’t they funny? At the very least these crazy-shaped tubers put a smile on my face. And my kitty, Rascal, thought they were worth investigating. 😊

I realized that I needed to change my perspective.

But how do you change your perspective?

We first need to understand that…

Perception leads to perspective 

Perception is your impression of something; the way you interpret the information you sense.

Perspective is your point of view and attitude toward something.

When I had a negative perception of these unusual tubers, my perspective was that they were ugly, good for nothing, disappointing, and wasted effort—a failure. Which then led to discouragement, complaining….

But when I looked at them positively, my perspective became positive. For example, I realized that:

1. These tubers are funny, and laughter is good for the soul.
2. You can’t judge a book by its cover. Maybe they’re still tasty.
3. Life doesn’t always give us what we want or expect. Instead of being immature, I could make the best of it and be grateful for what I do have—I did get some normal ones.
4. Turn it around and use it for good. In this case, I used it for a toastmaster’s speech and hopefully a helpful blog.

This is a much better way to live!

But how do we change our perception and therefore our perspective?

We have to change what is currently influencing our perception: our beliefs, convictions, and of course, our emotions. Fundamentally, we have to our revamp our way of thinking, consciously and subconsciously.

The way we interpret the world (our perception) in many ways dictates our sense of reality, although it may not be the true reality.

If we are thinking like the world, like fallen human beings, our view is indeed distorted. We need to find the real truth and align our thoughts with it. Then our outlook, our perspective on life will be right.

That truth is found in the Bible—the actual words of God!

What we read, watch, focus on—all affect our minds.  I’m sure you know this—but doing it is quite a different matter! But remember: you and I decide what we put into our brains and what we dwell on. We choose!

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. (Rom 12:1-2)

Now, I know that changing our perception about minor things (like silly ugly tubers) is not the same when it involves major hardships. That’s why we need God’s help. With His enabling grace, we can change our current perception by dwelling on the truth of the matter. The more we train our minds to see the truth—His truth— at any given moment, the easier it becomes to have a right and accurate perspective. The result is an abundant life! (More on that next time.)

If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at CHANGE.*

Take for example a simple dandelion…

Some see it only as a weed, an ugly nuisance

Others see a wish

Some see the intricate beauty of God’s creation

Still others see them as a precious gift of love from their child

Sometimes a change in perception is all we need to see the light!

So my friends, in what areas do you need to change your perspective? Ask God, and He will help you see it from His point of view!

By the way, those tubers turned out to be quite tasty!

*Dr. Wayne Dyer

Scripture taken from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.  NIV®.  Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica.  All rights reserved worldwide.