“When you change the way you look at things. The things you look at change” - Wayne Dyer
I used this quote in a sermon a few weeks ago, speaking about how Jesus often used parables to reframe his listeners view of life and of God. The way we look at things makes a difference as is illustrated by the illusion to the right. What picture do you see? There are two images. It depends on how you look at it.
A question was raised, “How exactly do we change how we look at things?” Great question to which there are several answers. I believe that spiritual formation is largely about changing how we look at things. I know spending time in scripture changes my viewpoint.
Another easy way to change the way we look at things is through gratitude, being thankful and expressing our thankfulness. We may sit around the table this Thanksgiving and express our gratitude for our health and the food, all the easy stuff. However, I believe we can also be thankful for the tough stuff as well. We can be grateful for how we grew through the challenges we faced this year. We can be thankful for the new understanding of friendship that we have by experiencing those who stood beside us or came to our aid during difficult times. When I stop and reflect what I am thankful for in the one who rubs me the wrong way, I may see that relationship improve.
The writer of Philippians knew the importance of gratitude when he encouraged his readers to “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoi Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God (4:4-6).
Melodie Beattie expresses the power well when she says, “Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.”
Do you have an experience where thankfulness or gratitude changed the way you looked at something? Share it in the comment section below.
And Happy Thanksgiving!
My joy is the golden sunset giving thanks for another day. Gratitude itself is a source of joy.
I have become more thankful as my days go…as I read more scriptures and begin to change the way I think. I appreciate so many things that I took for granted before and being humbled, makes me see the little things… Thanks be to God