POWER OF PERSPECTIVE
I have never met a person who likes flying. Sure, we like the idea of travel, but actually flying is miserable. You have to take off your shoes. Get patted down. Buy seven dollar granola to avoid starving. Wait for an eternity. Pray your flight doesn’t get delayed or canceled. Then get shoved into a hot capsule with people pressed against each side of you.

It’s miserable.

It was especially miserable when I would travel between upstate New York and Raleigh. They would put us in this plane that looked like a toy for a rich kid. It had propellors. It seated 24 people. The pilot was only separated by a curtain. There was no drink service or snacks — just barf bags. The seats were designed for second graders, not chubby southerners.

One winter day, I was traveling up to New York to see my girlfriend. I boarded this little plane for the short journey from Philadelphia to Binghamton. Five minutes after I crammed into my little seat that forced me to cuddle the gentleman next to me, our flight slowly began to taxi. Suddenly, we stopped.

Five minutes passed.
Ten minutes passed.
Fifteen minutes passed.
Thirty miserable minutes passed.
We were just parked.

After thirty-five minutes of sitting still in a plane the size of a tactic, the pilot turned around and told us that were waiting in something called a holding pattern. Yes, he just turned around, there was no intercom. Finally, after nearly forty-five minutes of misery, our pilot told us it was time for takeoff. The plane kicked into gear, violently shook, and mustered all of it’s power to get up to a takeoff speed. We began speeding down the runway just in time for the pilot to slam on the breaks — sending everyone crashing into the plastic dinner-tray in front of them. Why did this plane even have those things anyway? They didn’t serve food. That is beside the point. The pilot explained that were were going to have to go back to the gate because we ran out of fuel. Our plane sat there idling for so long that the tank couldn’t get us half an hour north. People groaned. Some cursed. Some were stunned
in disbelief. One person laughed — she got some weird looks.

I am going to fast forward through the headache that was disembarking while the plane was fueled. Finally, our flight was cleared for takeoff…three hours behind schedule. Due to the time adjustment, we took off just in time for sunset. After we reached altitude, I slid up my window to see something that took my breath away. The sky was stunning. The view looked like a Van Gogh paining with millions of multi-colored strokes of God’s paintbrush. For a moment, I forgot about the frustration. I forgot about the cramped quarters. I simply marveled at the handiwork of our Creator. I got a glimpse of God’s glory in seat 8B that day. I experienced inspiration despite the irritation.

READ: Psalm 77 1-4; 11-12
I cried out to God for help; I cried out to God to hear me. When I was in distress, I sought the Lord; at night I stretched out untiring hands, and I would not be comforted.” I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”

Perspective is a powerful thing. The Psalms are seldom about solving our problems, rather they are about changing our perspective. Just like in that plane, I invite you to have an elevated perspective. When everything around you is going wrong, simply look up.

When you’ve had a frustrating day, look up.
When your heart is broken, look up.
When your life seems to be in shambles, look up.
When you do not know what to do next, just look up.

When you change the way you look at things — things begin to change.

Psalm 77 was written by Asaph, a musician who worked with David. Asaph did not get stuck reflecting on his problems, instead he meditated on God’s power. He leveraged the imagery of God’s sovereignty over nature to as encouragement. “The waters saw you, God, the waters saw you and writhed; the very depths were convulsed.” He is reminding himself of the miracles in Exodus. In the ancient context, people often personified their gods and goddesses with nature. They saw nature’s power as the pinnacle of their god’s power, but this passage goes far further. This message shows that God is powerful over all things, for even nature must convulse at His command. If He can part the Red Sea to let the Israelites walk through on dry land, He will get you through whatever you’re facing. Gratitude was the key to changing his entire attitude. Psalm 77 give us the key to living a happier life — gratitude and praise.

Your problems are not a limitation, they’re an invitation.
An invitation to grow closer to God.
An invitation to a greater impact.
An invitation to experiencing the greatness of God around you.
An invitation to go further than you can imagine.
It’s an invitation to develop past discouragement, disappointment, or distress.

As we finish up our deep-dive into the Psalms, take a page from Asaph’s book. Write down 10-15 ways you’ve seen God provide or that you’ve seen His glory. Meditate on those things. Thank him for those things. Know that God has a perfect track-record. He has never failed.

TALK IT OUT
Go through these questions with your circle. Be honest. Be open. Talk through the tough stuff.

Q1: If you could travel any place in the world, where would it be and why?

Q2: What is different about the first section in Psalm 77 and the second?

Q3:What are some common things that your friends complain about? How can those things sometimes actually be blessings in the big picture?

Q4: What are five things you are thankful for today?

Q5: What is one daily habit you can develop that will help you be more grateful?