While living in Africa, I was hardly in air conditioning and only used a fan at night. By the end of the year, anything less than 60 degrees was considered freezing to me! The worst part about being in the states for the summer was the fact that I would be in air conditioning! Yes, I constantly had to wear a coat and looked ridiculous when everyone else was actually dressed for summer. Then came the realization that I would be staying longer than the summer. As the months passed, the temperature continued to creep down. By the end of October, I was permanently wearing sweatshirts and hats even while carving pumpkins. A fear came over me that I would never survive the winter if I was already struggling with the 40's. Then the winter actually came and it was worse than anyone had imagined. How on earth was I suppose to survive hypothermia? But alas, I did survive through each day of winter and just learned to put on as many layers as possible. I thought I would never be able to stay warm through the winter but of course I am still here. I made the situation appear worse than it really was. By February, I would find myself outside wearing shorts in 30 degree weather and thinking it felt warm. Yes, it felt warm compared to the negatives. The light bulb brightened and it hit me that it was all about my perspective on the issue. Temperatures in the high 30's was no longer cold when comparing it to the days that stayed in the negatives. If I survived the coldest days, I could survive in less harsh conditions.
The thought of "perspective" enabled me to apply it to other areas of my life. For example, I also said when I came home that I would only last in the states until January. January was flipped over on the calendar and I still found myself in the states. The impossible all of a sudden became possible because I had a better outlook on the issue. Frankly, I had two decisions. I could either be miserable for all my months living in the states or I could accept the fact that God had me in the states for a reason and make the most of the situation. I sound enlightened writing this, but it did take many months for this point to come clear to me. Finding God's blessings right where I am planted instead of worrying about where I am not, it is a lot more satisfying. For nine months, I have been able to help with the youth group, share crazy memories with my family, and grow closer to the Lord.
Our perspective should be focused on following the will of God and being filled with His truth. No matter where we are or what we are doing, we can make the best of it because we have the Lord. He is faithful and we were made in order to give Him the praises. I struggled being home but being home was exactly where the Lord wanted me for these months. Instead of fighting our God on matters we don't understand, let's thank God for how He can use us for his kingdom, let us gain a Christ focused perspective.
