It was the poet Robert Burns who wished for humanity the power to see ourselves as others see us. What insights would come to us! But what if we could see our lives as God does?

If we could see as God sees, we would know that most of our fears never materialize. The majority of things most of us spend the bulk of our time worrying over are never going to happen. So we waste energy and weaken ourselves for today’s task. Foresight and precaution are one thing, but worry is something else again. “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself,” said Jesus. “Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

If we could see as God sees, we would realize that no problem that does arise is without resolution. In our gloomier moments of illness, financial stress, or personal problems, we muse over questions that seem to have no answers. But the Bible still promises: “God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”

If we could see as God sees, we would understand that no problem comes without an attached blessing. The good end of a painful beginning can seldom be known in advance. So, in our anxiety, we tend to doubt that anything good can come from heartache. “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,” said Jesus’s half-brother, “because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.”

If we could see as God sees, we would know that pain always signals the possibility for growth. Although we sometimes sigh for a world free of difficulties, we know deep inside that such a world would create cold and unfeeling people. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

Through God’s eyes, today may look very different from what you think you see. As my friend put it last week: “God’s peace is greater than your pain, and his promise is greater than your loss.” So trust the One with clearer vision.

Rubel Shelly The FAX of Life