Lesson #1. We need to purposefully shift our perspective
In the research for my devotional book Find Rest, we identified “shifting our perspective” as one of eight elements that can lead to a life of rest instead of stress. Especially important is building a habit of gratitude and noticing blessings rather than frustrations.
Nothing will shift your perspective more quickly than seeing great need and recognizing the many things you have to be grateful for. For example, when in the DR, we walked from the Compassion center to the very poor neighborhood near the river (see the arrow in the picture below). We visited with a mom who lives with her two daughters in an 8-foot-by-9-foot home without electricity or running water, in 105-degree heat. They live mere feet from a river that regularly floods—leaving her family homeless until the water subsides. Yet she borrowed pretty dresses for herself and her girls, to greet us with dignity and tell us, “God is all I have.”
The corrugated metal structure behind the mom (in red) is her home. One bed and two plastic chairs take up almost the entire space. But thanks to Compassion’s “Survival Moms” program, she now had prenatal and post-natal care for her adorable baby, medical care for herself and her 11-year-old daughter (who is hidden behind my hat!), food, and vocational training to provide a way for the whole family to escape poverty. All in the name of Jesus. It’s really amazing. (Can you see why I’m so passionate about Compassion?)
I walked away asking God to help me be actively grateful, from now on, for electricity, running water … and air conditioning. That’s a key perspective shift.
The view from the Compassion center roof of the neighborhood we would visit, far downhill by the river. (1)
Walking through that neighborhood (in 105-degree heat!) (2)
A mom and her two daughters, who are part of Compassion’s Survival Moms program. (3)
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