My family and I recently returned from a 2,500-mile road trip. We traveled from Texas to Kentucky and enjoyed visiting The Ark Encounter, The Creation Museum, Mammoth Cave National Park, Hot Springs, and several other stops along the way. We’ve always loved exploring America’s open roads, however this trip ended up being the most challenging one yet when it came to driving conditions.
Day after day, we experienced significant problems and setbacks including road construction debris that lead to us having to purchase two new tires, traffic that stopped for hours due to major interstate wrecks, and lingering thunderstorms that followed us like a shadow from state to state. My poor husband navigated the challenges like a pro, but he definitely didn’t get the relaxing, enjoyable road trip that he was hoping for.
When we were almost home, we were talking about how different this trip had been compared to our other family vacations. My initial comments agreed that it had been “frustrating and stressful” and “the worst trip ever, as far as driving was concerned.”
But not two seconds after those comments had left my mouth, I felt the Lord tugging at my heart. “Remember me?” He asked, and I realized right away that I had neglected to view our challenges from His perspective.
What I saw were our problems and inconveniences, but that was only half of the picture. The full truth was that despite the many dangers and setbacks, God had, once again, kept our family safe and protected on the road. Once I realized that God had been with us, not against us, my entire attitude shifted to gratitude.
There are so many times when we are given the choice to see things from our perspective (“See what I’m having to deal with here!”) or from God’s perspective (“See what I’m protecting you from here?”). The first point-of-view leads to complaining; the second leads to thanksgiving.
We each have the choice to select our perspective. How will we view the problems we face today? Will we see the messes or the miracles? The losses or the lessons? The blows or the blessings?
As for me, I’ll choose to focus on the rainbow instead of the storm.
Thanks Emily, that is me every time I drive on I-Hwy 45 & nearly have a close encounter with another vehicle, I complain about their driving & get upset but forget that I had prayed up in my car even before I left my house & then I realize that God was with me & protected me from that accident & I sing along with the songs that are on my Christian radio & give him the praise He deserves. God is so good!!
Amen! You don’t drive on 45 unless you’re prayed up! ?
Typo s/b Mosher