This week I have been visiting family and friends on the other side of Australia, where we used to live.
Seeing people after a long break is great, but there are often news and circumstances that may be difficult to see up close, even if you have been hearing about it all from a distance. Such was my last few days for me, but amongst some of the difficulties, I was reminded how important it is not to allow events or circumstances to taint everything else around you and allow it to cause your whole day to be ruined.
Instead, when faced with something difficult, zoom out. As in, zoom out so you can look at your situation from a different perspective and not so up close and “in your face”. It’s like doing a puzzle and not being able to look at the whole picture as you do. It’s a lot harder, more frustrating, and usually doesn’t work. You need to step back and see the whole scene to be able to put the pieces in their proper plac
When we “zoom-out”, we allow ourselves space to breathe and to see our situation from a different angle. We can also appreciate all the other good things happening outside the particular situation we’ve only been focusing on.
For example, I may have had one difficult circumstance this week, but in zooming out, I soon recognised the other great experiences and opportunities I also had alongside the difficulties. I got to see my eldest daughter, her husband, and our two grandchildren, spend time with my siblings and catch up with other family. The weather was amazing; I enjoyed the beautiful scenery, went for a horse ride and caught up with a good friend, ate great food, was driven everywhere in a nice car, had lovely places to stay and gained the opportunity to meet and encourage some new people I'd met.
Zooming out helped me realise one negative circumstance doesn’t make everything else terrible, as long as we put things in their rightful place and order of importance and prominence in our life. The negative doesn’t deserve a front-row seat in our hearts and minds to spoil our day when God promises that He will work all things together for our good and to rejoice in every day He has made for us. (Psalm 118:24, Romans 8:28)
Today, if you feel disheartened or under your circumstances, I encourage you to “zoom out". It’s easier to see the answers, gain much-needed perspective, and recognise all the other blessings around you when you see the whole picture rather than just one piece of the puzzle.
Zoom Out!
“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” (Colossians 3:2)
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” (Philippians 4:6)
Prayer: Lord, thank you for working all things together for my good. Please help me to zoom out when I need to so that I can gain perspective, see the answer and be thankful for all the other great things happening in my world today. In Jesus name Amen
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