The Big Picture

I have learned many life-lessons from listening to individuals tell their story, especially when it comes to their past.  Many individuals come my way when they are tired, with no idea of how to keep moving through the maze of the ongoing challenges.   As they describe the hard stuff, it is easy to see why they are discouraged and plain-old-done with the way life is going.  But.  After they get through it, they have a new perspective.  One man put it in perspective for me years ago.

He said,  It was one thing, after all the other things, not a big thing, which caused me to walk away. If, I had only done something different before the one small thing happened, we would have made it.  

There it is, the lesson, that we need to look at. Do something different when things aren't working.  The thing is. . . our response to whatever we face in life. . . will direct our way.   Rather than focusing on what isn't working, we need a new perspective, to see what God wants us to see.  

 The big thing to see clearly, is that God has a plan and will guide us through it.       

Consider.

 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. (Jeremiah 29: 11-13, NLT)  

Jeremiah 29 explains the big picture.  God has a plan for good, not for disaster.  He has promised a future and a hope.  Seriously, life is not planned to be a disaster.  So. We need to relax, lighten up, and pray, giving it all to God, rather than living weighed down with the things that produce pressures and problems.  God has said He will listen, not just hear, but listen!  Think about it. God, the Creator of all, will personally pay attention to us.  And. It makes sense that we need to pay attention to God;  when we focus completely or wholeheartedly on God rather than on the circumstance, we will find God.

Refuse to let one small thing cause you to give up.  See the bigger picture.  Pray.  Focus completely on God.

Learning to Kickstart the day seeing the bigger picture, praying, focused on God,
Kerrie

(written by Kerrie Carlisle Palmer © 2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)