Known & Loved

“Godliness with contentment is great gain.” (1 Timothy 6:6)

Have you ever experienced a shift in perspective—like a fog lifting and suddenly, everything looks different? Maybe you’ve been sitting with a thought for a while, and then out of nowhere, it clicks. Or perhaps you’ve been moving through life on autopilot, and then—bam—you hit a wall and realize something you’ve been quietly avoiding.

That was me yesterday.

I was in another province, visiting a close relative, and somewhere between stops on public transit, it hit me. I’d grown complacent. Life had started to feel like a hamster on a wheel —same busy rhythm, same exhausting routine—and I found myself growing weary of it all. But in that quiet moment, surrounded by strangers, a packed bus, and the hum of city static, I was struck by a simple truth: I have everything I need right now. No lack. No reason to complain. Just grace, provision, and a gentle nudge from God reminding me to look up and give thanks.

This may not be your story, but if any part of this resonates with you, I invite you to lean in.

A Lesson from the Wilderness

I was reminded of the Israelites in Exodus. They had just witnessed God’s power—plagues that spared them, Pharaoh’s heart softened, the Red Sea parted with walls of water on either side, completely dry land on the path ahead, and their enemies swept away behind them by the same waters that God parted. They were free. Hopeful of the journey ahead. Singing songs of deliverance (Exodus 15). All they had to do was keep walking, trusting that the God who had brought them out would provide for them in the wilderness.

But then the water ran out.

They reached Marah with great anticipation but, much to their dismay, found the springs bitter. Instead of seeking the Lord, they grumbled against Moses—as if he had led them there on his own. They forgot that Moses was also following the pillar of cloud, the visible presence of God. Still, in mercy, God provided a way to sweeten the water so they could drink.

How many of us have a bit of bitterness in our water supply, so to speak? Do we grumble and complain, or do we trust and ask God to draw out the bitterness?

Fear of the Future

Then in Exodus 16, we read that their food supply began to dwindle—not disappear, just dwindle. They weren’t starving. But fear crept in. As one inspired writer put it, “In imagination they saw their children starving.” They forgot the miracles behind them and doubted the provision ahead. Instead of saying, “God has done great things for us—we were slaves, and now He’s making us into a great nation,” they focused on how hard the journey was and wondered when it would end.

You see, perspective matters.

I’m writing this as a inward perspective, not to discredit anyone’s journey. Life can be unbearably hard, and some paths are steeper than others. But here’s the promise: “My God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)

Even when provision feels delayed, it’s an invitation to remember what God has done and to praise Him in the present. The Israelites’ obstacles could have drawn them closer to their never-failing Companion. But instead of trusting, they complained. Instead of praising, they looked inward instead of upward.

A Gentle Invitation

The passage continues: “Why should we be ungrateful and distrusting? Jesus is our friend. All heaven is interested in our welfare. Anxiety and fear grieve the Holy Spirit of God—it is not God’s will for His people to be weighed down with care.”

Jesus doesn’t promise a danger-free path, but He does offer a place of rest. “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest… Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me… and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:28–29)

Instead of grumbling, let our hearts say, “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.” (Psalm 103:2)

Remembering the Goodness

That’s when I was called to remember. To realize that I am only where I am because the Lord has led every step. I’ve seen His hand in every decision, every walk. And yes, even when life feels overwhelming, I truly have no reason to complain or compare.

I’m reminded of a song lyric I read recently:
“I call You faithful, for the promises You’ve kept, and every need that You have met… You were with me every step, and I never will forget… You’ve been so good to me.”

It all comes down to where we’re looking in the moment. Philippians 2:14–15 says, “Do everything without grumbling or arguing… then you will shine among them like stars in the sky.”

It’s comparatively easy to write this. Harder to live it when we’re tired, burned out, discouraged, or anxious. But the invitation remains:

Remember.
Praise in the shadows.
Trust in the waiting.
Fix your eyes on the One—not the world.

So How Do We Shift Our Perspective?

It’s one thing to want a change in perspective. It’s another to practice it. The Israelites had every reason to trust, but they still struggled. And honestly? So do we. But God knows us and our heart— and He invites us to grow through it.

Here are a few practical ways to begin shifting our perspectives:

🧎‍♀️ 1. Pause and Pray

Before reacting, pause. Take a breath, and whisper a prayer.
“Lord, help me see this through Your eyes.”

Psalm 46:10 – “Be still, and know that I am God.”
Prayer isn’t just for emergencies—it’s a daily recalibration. It reminds us that we’re not alone and that God’s presence is steady, even when our emotions aren’t.

📖 2. Remember What God Has Done

Make a habit of remembering. Write it down. Speak it out loud.

• What prayers has He answered?
• What doors has He opened?
• What comfort has He given?

Psalm 77:11 says, “I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.”
Gratitude rewires our spiritual vision.

✍️ 3. Journal the Journey

Sometimes the fog lifts when we write. Writing things down helps us process what we’re feeling and recognize patterns—especially when we’re stuck in complaint mode.
We can ask ourselves: “What am I overlooking that I once prayed for?”

Psalm 77:11–12 – “I will remember the deeds of the Lord… I will meditate on all Your works.”

🎶 4. Praise on Purpose

Praise isn’t just a response—it’s a weapon.
Put on a hymn or a praise song. Sing even if you don’t feel like it. Praise shifts the atmosphere of your heart.
Psalm 34:1 says, “I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.”

🌱 5. Ask God to Sweeten the Bitter

Just like He did at Marah, God can transform our bitter waters.
Ask Him: “Lord, what is the root of this bitterness? What do You want to heal in me?”
Sometimes the shift begins with surrender.

Exodus 15:25–26 – “The Lord showed him a piece of wood… and the water became fit to drink.”

🌟 6. Fix Your Eyes on the Eternal

Colossians 3:2 says, “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
When we zoom out and remember the bigger picture—God’s faithfulness, His promises, His eternal plan—our present frustrations lose their grip.

🧠 7. Let God Renew Your Mind

Perspective change often begins with a deeper transformation—not just of what we see, but how we think. Romans 12:2 invites us into that process:

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.”

This verse reminds us that the world’s patterns—comparison, complaint, fear, striving—can subtly shape our thinking. But God offers something better: renewal. A fresh way of seeing, thinking, and responding.

So how do we let God renew our minds?

• Start with Scripture. Let truth replace lies. Start as Jesus did with an “It is written.”
• Guard your inputs. What we consume shapes what we believe. If we spend too much time in the world, we’ll be conformed to it. Choose voices and spaces that uplift and align with God’s heart.
• Invite the Holy Spirit. Ask Him to highlight areas where your thinking needs healing or realignment.
• Practice discernment. As your mind is renewed, you’ll begin to recognize what is truly good, pleasing, and aligned with God’s will.

Renewal isn’t a one-time event—it’s a daily invitation and hourly surrender. And as your mind is transformed, your perspective follows.

Final Thoughts

Perspective change doesn’t mean pretending everything’s perfect. It means choosing to see God’s hand even when things aren’t. It’s the quiet decision to say, “I will trust You here, too.”

So today, if you feel stuck in the loop, tired of the rhythm, or tempted to complain—pause. Remember, praise, and ask. Fix your eyes on Someone better who can make life sweet. And let the Holy Spirit gently shift your gaze from what’s missing to what’s already overflowing.

You are not forgotten. You are not overlooked.
You are known and loved.