Perspective, perspective, perspective,….
What at all is it?
Is it the same as attitude?
If attitude is everything, what is perspective?
This is what I came across:
If attitude is your internal mindset or approach to situations, perspective is the lens through which you view them, shaping your interpretation of reality.
Perspective is how you see it and attitude is how you act or feel about it.
Great!
What prompted this line of thinking one may ask?
One day in my browsing I came across an experiment that was once carried out and it intrigued me.
I refer to the Dartmouth Scar Experiment carried out in 1980 by psychologists Robert Kleck and Angelo Strenta.
In this trial, participants had a “scar” applied with make-up that they were shown in a mirror. This was a large realistic scar applied to the left side of their face. Researchers secretly removed the scar before the participants went for interviews 😅. The participants, believing that they still had a disfiguring scar, reported that the interviewees acted uncomfortable, distant, or prejudiced toward them.
The conclusion?
Expectation bias was illustrated- participants projected their own insecurity about the ‘scar” onto the neutral actions of others interpreting normal behaviour as discriminatory or negative.
Why is this important to us as followers of Christ?
It illustrates the power of self-perception and mindset over external reality, thereby emphasizing the biblical principle of “renewing the mind”.
There it is! 😃
Romans 12:2 NIV –
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.
One thing I’ve learnt to say about myself is this : “I am who God says I am”.
I always love to refer to a scene from the movie “Overcomer” where Hannah Scott responds to her coach’s earlier asked question of “Who are you?”.
Ephesians 1 and 2 were her references.
Renewal of mind is not just important when it comes to our identity in Christ, it’s important in every sphere of life!
Without a renewed mind, how can we count it all joy when we face trials of various kinds?
How can we smile through storms of life?
How can we have hope in this dark world where so many things seem to be going wrong?
Renewal of the mind is not a one time event, it is an ongoing, daily or moment-by-moment process. It involves us refusing to conform to the behaviours, philosophies and pressures of the world, allowing God to transform us into new people.
How is it achieved?
Replacing lies and negative thoughts with the truth of God’s word.
It is not denial,..it is an awareness of what God has to say about a particular situation.
We need to
• immerse ourselves in scripture,
• take our thoughts captive (2 Corinthians 10:5)
• prayerfully depend on the Holy Spirit
• Be mindful of what we watch, read and listen to and consciously replace toxic content with encouraging godly content.
The word of God is rich. Our God has given us a manual that contains all we need to live this life.
It was relevant then and it is relevant now.
Are you studying it??
2 Timothy 2:15 KJV –
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Joshua 1:8 NIV – Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
Are we being intentional about renewing our mind daily?
I certainly pray so!
God give us grace to see things the way You see them O Lord, in Jesus Name, Amen!
God bless you!
😊🙏🏽
