Growing in Perspective

A Note from Ryan

This past month has presented itself many challenges both within ministry as well as personally, and when you try to balance them both - it becomes at times all consuming mentally. My mind seems to race quickly to a million different directions, like: How to fix the problem, Negativity, Anxiousness, Doubt, and Frustration. And the more significant challenge has been keeping my focus on God. Because with all these other feelings and thoughts racing through my mind, I at times direct God in my prayers and describe what I want and how I want it to be handled.  And in all truthfulness - none of these thoughts or prayers are Godly in any way. Yet instead I need to renew my mind when faced with these challenges. 

"Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world,
but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.
​Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect."
 - Romans 12:2

I have been learning I need to not look at these challenges in a negative sense because then it becomes those frustrations, doubts, and anxieties where I try to fix all the things on my own. Yet I need to view these challenges as blessings and opportunities given by God. It's only then that I will be able to persevere and grow my faith. I am being given opportunities to serve the lord, to trust in Him more, to learn how to do new things - all while He is leading me. I am being given opportunities to be more patient; to learn more about faith; how to trust in His plans and not my own. And instead of focusing on the latter I usually tend to be more anxious and have thoughts of frustration, doubt and concern that consume my mind. Yet, I need to renew my perspective as a Godly one.

Does the Word of God not tell us "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything with prayer and petition present our request to God" (Philippians 4:6)? Also in Matthew 6, does it not say "Do worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."? But instead we are to  seek first His kingdom and His righteousness." And there are hundreds of other scriptures about keeping our faith and trusting in Him -  the One who knows it all.

So as I fight to try to keep this new perspective by renewing my mind on what God is doing and not looking at my own circumstances, I am seeing the blessings in it all. I see that I have been given new opportunities to be stretched in my faith by being able to counsel; to be able to see God do miracles in people and change them. I am seeing opportunities to love at a deeper level, the blessings of new friends, and most importantly opportunities to rely on and grow closer to Him.

When we focus on our wants, we lose focus on what God is already doing. We miss out on opportunities and blessings that He is providing right now. At times it is a constant battle to renew our perspectives, and that we need to do it even when we think things are already good. Because when we do, we are able to receive the peace of God which transcends all understanding (Philippians 4) and are able to fully focus on Him.

Scroll over the pictures above to see captions for each! 

PRAISE

- Opportunities for our family to grow in faith and continue to rely on God
- New friends and opportunities to serve the Lord
- Answers to many, many prayers

PRAYER

- For God to continue to lead the ministry here in His perfect way
- For students as they seek mentorship and are learning what discipleship looks like
- For people to have a deep love for the Lord, wanting to know more of him and less of self
- For a full, exciting month ahead here at Enlaces - for guidance, protection, and souls to be saved!