“What do you see?” was the question Jesus asked the man after He healed him from blindness in Mark 8:23. I believe this is the same question that the Lord is asking of us today. What do we see? Do we see things negative or positive? Do we only see doom and gloom, our disappointments, or do we see God coming and shining His light so that the darkness is overcome?
Of course, we certainly do not deny that there is darkness and evil in the world. We also don’t deny that every one of us may face adversity. The real question is, are we focusing primarily on those things that are negative or dark? What we choose to focus on and talk about will affect our perspective and our outlook on life.
A good example is found with the children of Israel who could only remember the garlic and the onions they tasted in Egypt. Numbers 11:5 – We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlick: Rather than “taste” of the Lord’s goodness and focus on the land that God had promised them, they were focused entirely on their past and the dark season of oppression they once lived in. As a result, they couldn’t see any good in their present circumstances and fell into a constant cycle of negativity.
Often this can be our same tendency. Too often we dwell on our past, our struggles, or the bad things happening in the world. Even though countless blessings are everywhere, we struggle to see them and only see the things that didn’t seem to go our way. Too often we allow those things to shape our outlook.
Our outlook or perspective is established by what we focus on and allow to dominate our minds and speech. For example, if we only focus on what is being reported on the news or the images that are being played out on our television screens, we will likely think that is the only perspective. Yet, there is always another perspective, God’s perspective! He always has another outlook!
This is why, rather than feeding on the negative or what isn’t working out in our lives, choose instead to focus on God’s promises in His Word. Focus on the many blessings that do surround your life. Remember, God is still in control which means good things do and will happen for those who choose to taste and “SEE” the Lord is good in all things.
Again, what do you see? Take your eyes off the negative today and force yourself to obtain a fresh outlook, a different perspective. When you do, you will see that God is for you. He is your Healer, Provider, Deliverer, Protector, Comforter, and Lord over all things! Now that is a fresh perspective worth shouting for!