It’s a universal truth that how you see things is not always the way everyone else sees them. There will always be a different way of looking at situations, events, issues, and circumstances. We’ve all probably had the thought, “If everyone would just see it my way, then everything would be right in the world.” But the reality is, this is not how the world works.
A husband and wife wade through these muddy waters all the time. How he sees things is not always the way she sees things, and vice versa. Have you ever considered what Mrs. Noah thought about all those stinky animals? Have you ever considered how Sarah felt about packing up everything and going to a land that God was going to show her husband, Abraham? What about how Samson saw things when he woke up and Delilah had cut his hair? Or how about how Bathsheba felt about David needing a “young nurse” to keep him warm? Let’s not forget how Peter’s wife felt about him leaving his profession as a fisherman to follow Jesus, a young rabbi, out of Nazareth.
It’s obvious how differently the rest of the world sees things, but let’s not forget that the other person in the house with you may have a different outlook. So, it’s good to be considerate and look at things from the other side. Not everything is about you.
Imagine if every husband thought about how his wife feels and sees things. Or if every wife would consider the thoughts her husband has. Imagine if everyone in the church considered the interests of others as more important than their own.
Seems biblical, right? Well, it just so happens it is. Paul writes, “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:3-5). We have the attitude of Jesus when we see things from someone else’s perspective and allow our actions to respond in a way that corresponds to our thoughts and attitudes.
It’s a challenge, but what if we give it a try this weekend and see things from your spouse’s point of view?
For the Lord,
Alex & Kira Mills