Our perspective of God affects our faith and prayers – Part 1

Perspectives on life matter a great deal. The way we think and the way we view things are closely knit and they influence our faith and walk with God. Our mindset about God could be our greatest hindrance to miracles. Israel limited God by her unbelief and because of that Jesus could not do many miracles in her midst.

Ten spies who were sent to spy out the Promised Land came back with a bad report due to their perspectives to the spiritual mapping they carried out. They saw giants and human killers as hindrances to possessing the land, but two others, Joshua and Caleb saw things differently, they saw possibilities. Their perspectives stopped them from entering the Promised Land. When we change the way we think and the way we see God, our lives will change for the better. The choice is ours, instead of doubt we can live in faith; instead of fear we can choose to be bold; instead of anxiety, we can have rest and peace with God.

The Bible says as a man thinks so is he (Prov.23:7). Our belief or unbelief influences our outlook on life and our faith in God. Many times we disbelief God when he tells us what his plans are for us. This is not surprising, many Bible saints felt that way. When God told Abraham that he would give him a son through Sarah, his wife, he disbelieved God. His simple response was “Oh, that Ishmael might live before you!” (Gen.17:17,18). In the same vein, Sarah laughed within herself when God told her he would visit her (Gen. 18:12-15).

Not even Zechariah and Mary believed the Angel of God who visited them. When the Angel of God appeared to Zechariah to announce that Elizabeth, his wife would have a son, his response was, “And Zacharias said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years”(Luke 1:18 NKJV). The same happened with Mary. She could not imagine herself able to conceive a child supernaturally. Her question to the Angel who spoke to her was, “How can this be, since i do not know a man?’ (Luke 1:34 NKJV).

We are always living in doubt of God’s ability and power. Unbelief is one of the greatest weapons Satan uses against many in our generation. Jesus would always commend those who came to him in faith. We need to approach God in faith. Hebrew 11:6 says, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (NKJV).

God’s word shapes our perspective and thinking. To change our thinking and perspectives we must constantly meditate on the word of God. The Spirit must renew our minds. God urged Joshua and the children of Israel to always meditate on the word since that would renew their minds. Paul addresses this point in his letter to the Romans, “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 NLT).‬

If we want our lives to change, then we must change the way we think. Unless we change our thinking our lives would remain mere drudgery. Contact:pastoracukachi@gmail.com