Today’s Scripture: John 9:1-3
Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him.”
A chaplain was speaking to a soldier in a bed in a hospital. “You have lost an arm in the great cause,” he said. “No,” said the soldier with a smile. “I didn’t lose it–I gave it.”
The ability to redefine a situation is vital to developing and keeping a positive attitude. This is often referred to as framing. Framing is a term made popular by the social sciences. It explains how individuals or groups perceive and communicate their situations and reality. Consider how the soldier, in our preceding anecdote, redefined the situation. What seemed obvious to everyone was that he had lost an arm. To keep this perspective is to give grounds for self pity and sadness.
But by carefully redefining the situation, insisting that he did not lose his arm but gave it away for a noble cause, he created an environment that nourished his self-esteem and allowed for self-fulfilment. This was the same thing Jesus did in our opening scripture. He redefined the situation. He changed the narrative from who sinned or who did not, and redirected it to the Almighty God who was able to salvage that which seemed impossible. So instead of preserving an atmosphere of guilt and sorrow, He introduced an environment of faith and possibilities, and of course a miracle followed. And a miracle is what will follow in your situation too, in Jesus’ name. Redefine the situation.
The only thing the Israelites could make of the situation was that Goliath, the giant, was too big to defeat. And so they were paralysed by fear. But David, redefining the situation, saw an uncircumcised Philistine that would definitely be struck down, and he was energised by faith. So here is one practical way to alter your attitude about people and situations – redefine it. Take it away from the realm of doubt, fear and bitterness and into the realm of faith, hope and love. Alter your attitude by redefining your reality. Stick to God’s definition (His Word) alone. Let the Word of God remain your primary focus. Redefine your temporary situations to fit into its unchanging reality. Victory is assured. You are coming out winning on the other side. Redefine your situation, change your perception. Change your attitude. Claim your victory, in Jesus’ name.
Memorise & Meditate:
“When men are cast down, then thou shalt say, there is lifting up….” Job 22:29a (KJV)
Prayer & Confession:
Give me the wisdom, Lord, to redefine my realities. I refuse to perceive reality from the perception of the world or what seems obvious about my situation; I choose instead to perceive it from the perspective of Your Word. My attitude is renewed. My victory is assured, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
