It is May. Holy moly y’all this year is flying. At this rate, we will be hanging the Christmas stockings in no time. The school year is coming to a close and we are having lots of pep talks in our house about staying the course and what to do with all the feelings of being just downright done with all things that don’t look, taste, feel, and ooze summer. My boys have an official countdown until the last day of school and I can’t say that I blame them. I honestly don’t want to pack another lunch or do another night of homework (and if I’m even more honest my husband hands down does the majority of both of those activities). Since the joys of spring break came to an end, we have been having daily conversations with our older two about how the amount of days until summer are what they are, but how we choose to think about it and where we place our perspective will surely change our experience of it.
I know this is super obvious when we stop and think about it, but our perspective on something, anything, is so powerful in our experience. Just think of this one statement: “ugh, I need more patience!” versus “I have patience and can choose to use it.” One is from a place of need and one is from a place of have. One is essentially a lie as a believer (we have ALL of Jesus = ALL of his patience lives in us for us to access at all times) and one is truth. One feels discouraging and saying we are lacking and one is empowering and freeing. A simple change in perspective, some would even argue it being a matter of semantics, can drastically change our experience of something. I believe when we choose for our thoughts, perspective, circumstances, etc. to be filtered through the basic truths that God is good, He loves us, and my identity is in Him, that we experience things just as we are. At peace, rest, and abidance with God.
It can feel somewhat miserable and unpleasant when our thoughts or perspective is less than desirable (and I am sure others around us can vouch that their experience of us may even be unpleasant!). Philippians 4:8 says, “finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”God is asking us to simply think in a way that is aligned with our identity in Him. To choose to think according to who and Whose we are not according to our feelings or circumstances. If you look at each of those adjectives they can also be descriptive of Christ himself, and therefore us! God is desiring for us to think according to truth and in turn experience the fullness of Himself in and through us in ANY circumstance.
On Monday morning, my oldest, Benjamin, was on the struggle bus about going to school before the actual school bus came. I said “remember dude, going to school today is happening however you choose to think about it. But I guarantee you if you change your perspective on this, you might just enjoy your day.” Wouldn’t you know someone was all smiles and full of good stories that evening. I know it’s not always that clean cut and simple in practice—but the mind is a powerful thing. I am forever grateful that we have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16).
Author: Kyndal Jacoby
Kyndal has been a member of GLF for the past 17 years. She served as a volunteer youth leader for 10 years and has been on the GLF staff for the past 8 years. Her and her husband Juan have been married for 12 years and have 3 delightful and active boys! Kyndal is also a licensed counselor and has the privilege of walking with others through life’s ups and downs in her full-time private practice. When she isn’t enjoying her family or her work, she loves to relax with friends, try new restaurants, and organize and decorate her home.
Connect with her: https://www.gracelifefellowship.org/ministries/grace-christian-counseling
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