“As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart.” Proverbs 27:19
You can perceive a day as being ruined because of a moment. Another can perceive a day as being great because they had an opportunity to grow. Our perception is something that we face every single day. We shape our lives based on it. Our conversations are centered around it. Our lives are filtered through our perception. A lot of the reason why we behave the way we behave and respond the way we respond is because of our perspective. If we feel like we’re being done wrong, we don’t even need concrete evidence to back that feeling up. We tend to treat our feelings as if they are principles. I know because I see it happen in my own life more often than I want to admit.
This past weekend, we did church a little different and had service in the park. We wanted to create a space where we can spend time with families and friends and just have fun with each other after learning the word of God together. Now we live in Florida so it’s pretty easy to assume that it was hot outside. And it was (I had a low-key tan to prove it). However, there was a moment when I felt the sun on me and realized that was the first time I actually felt the sun. There were clouds blocking the sun for most of the day. It could’ve been much hotter. Perspective is everything.
How many days have you allowed to be ruined because of your perspective? How many times have you missed out because you allowed your feelings to dictate what was true? Our perspective is based on how we see things and think about things but at the root of it, it’s based on our hearts. This past weekend we learned about our hearts and the effect is has on our everyday lives. I want to continue that thought to say that what’s in our heart determines our perspective on life. Our perspective dictates our actions. The root is still the heart.
This phrase “perception is reality” may seem true but it’s not. If your perception is based on hurt, anger, disappointment, fear, doubt, jealousy, envy, then your perception is ruining your reality. We are very quick to deal with how we appear before people but not as quick to let God deal with our hearts. I realized this weekend that I had an amazing time because my heart was truly grateful for an opportunity to spend time with people. But I remember a time when it wasn’t like that.
I remember when having to spend time with a lot of people was exhausting to me. I remember a time when being around a lot of people for any amount of time was irritating and challenging for me. It wasn’t the people. It was my heart. Because of hurt and disappointment that I hadn’t dealt with, my perspective caused me not to be open to anyone. But I have realized through my life that you can’t expect to grow if you’re not willing to open up. You can’t expect change if you are afraid to try something new. And you can’t change your behavior if your heart isn’t first changed. Everything you do flows from what’s really in your heart.
Today, I encourage you to check your heart. But don’t stop there. Whatever you find that’s causing your perception to be skewed in any area, confess that to God. And watch Him perform heart surgery on you by renewing you with His word.
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