Well, a lot has happened since I wrote part one on this topic. Nonetheless, it’s still a very prevalent subject in my own personal “civil war”. I’ve written a great deal on perspective and how we can be our own worst enemy. For years, I’ve said that “growth is gaining perspective and Christian growth is about gaining God’s perspective.” What would life be like if we could just be Christ-minded; to see what God sees and how He sees…and not just some of the time.

We are trained to look through the eyes of someone else; always wondering what they may be seeing or thinking. If we’re not doing that, we’re measuring things on our own yardstick. When that happens, not only do others fall short of the mark but so do we. Let’s not even get started on how we see our circumstances! I’ve certainly cried a river or two while drowning in self-pity and gasping that, “No one could possibly have as dreadful a life as I do”!

There are moments that my lack of proper perspective gets interrupted and I think sensibly and apologetically. I’m humbled by God’s grace that lines me up and out and does so as He guides me into maturity…even when I’ve behaved in child-like fashion. That’s a nice way of saying that I’ve acted like a teenage brat!

Our battleground is in our minds. If we’re not renewing and refreshing them in God’s Word, then we only have the stale imprint of past failures and a defeatist attitude making sure we notice them. We can have the world’s outlook, our outlook, or God’s outlook. The choice seems simple but isn’t. It takes work and determination to keep thinking what God says about you and your circumstances. It’s actually a compliment when things get tough. God is saying you’re tough enough to handle it and He’s got you covered; there’s scripture after scripture that says so but we have to read it to know it! The Bible isn’t a buried treasure but it sure is a treasure when we’re buried!

It’s easy to know the beginning and the end of something…it’s the “in-between” that’s the difficult part! That’s the time we have to trust that when it’s raining, God promised a rainbow. I know it’s trite but in the meantime, I’m grabbing an umbrella!

A dear friend sent me this poem that I read as a reminder to keep proper perspective so my attitude will then follow. When you read it, you’ll know why I call this battle “The War of the Roses”…..

The Sculptor’s Attitude

I woke up early today excited over all I get to do before the clock strikes midnight.
I have responsibilities to fulfill today. I am important.
My job is to choose what kind of day I am going to have.

Today I can complain because the weather is rainy or…
I can be thankful that the grass is getting watered for free.

Today I can feel sad that I don’t have more money or…
I can be glad that my finances encourage me to plan my purchases wisely and guide me away from waste.

Today I can grumble about my health or…
I can rejoice that I am alive.

Today I can lament over all that my parents didn’t give me when I was growing up or…
I can feel grateful that they allowed me to be born.

Today I can cry because roses have thorns or…
I can celebrate that thorns have roses.

Today I can mourn my lack of friends or…
I can excitedly embark upon a quest to discover new relationships.

Today I can whine because I have to go to work or…
I can shout for joy because I have a job to go to.

Today I can complain because I have to do housework or…
I can feel honored because the Lord has provided shelter for my mind, body and soul.

Today stretches ahead of me, waiting to be shaped.
And here I am, the sculptor who gets to do the shaping.
What today will be like is up to me. I get to choose what kind of day I will have!!!

Have a GREAT DAY… unless you have other plans.