Whenever I get to feeling too big for my britches I have a conversation with God as I meditate on the last few chapters of the book of Job. It is a way for me to smack my ego back down to where it should be, and to move me forward in gaining God’s perspective on my life. These kind of talks with God generally go something like this:

“God it’s not fair that so many of my friends don’t have outside jobs and I do. I want to be like them Lord. I want to be able to do like they do.”

“Child, where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Declare if you have understanding.” (Job 38:4)

“Well, uh, of course I wasn’t there at the beginning of all time, but still the demands of my schedule really bug me sometimes. I work hard and try to serve you in every way possible, yet sometimes it seems like you let others have more free time than I do – and this really bothers me.”

“Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct Him?” (Job 40:2)

“Oh no Lord, I didn’t meant to make it sound like I know better than you do. I was just well… just… telling you how I feel… and…I guess… asking why. Why is my life path different than so many others around me? Why does it feel like you are harder on me?”

“Hast thou an arm like God? Or canst thou thunder with a voice like him? Deck thyself with majesty and excellency; and array thyself with glory and beauty…then will I confess to thee that thine own right hand can save thee.” (Job 40:9-14)

And so my conversation with God goes… until God lifts me enough to his vantage point that I can see how tiny my problem really is.

Gaining God’s Perspective

The Holy Bible says that heaven is God’s throne and earth is his footstool. (Isaiah 66:1) And Isaiah 40:22 says that God sits on the circle of the earth and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers to Him. So clearly God sees things from a different perspective than we do.

We see a mountain, but God sees a bump.

We see a hurricane, but God sees a puddle of water.

We see the night, but God sees the dawn.

We see an empty bank account, but God sees a pending miracle.

We see brokenness, but God sees restoration.

We see uncertainty, but God sees assurance.

What do you need to see from God’s perspective today?

Debbie Simler-Goff

Debbie Simler-Goff is a Christian author, minister’s wife, and Grief Recovery Specialist® who works in hospice. She has contributed to three devotional books, and blogs regularly at www.dsimlergoff.com. When Debbie isn’t playing with her 11 grandchildren, she can usually be found scouting out the local ice cream shops.