Another Way of Looking at the Same Thing

The View From Above: Thoughts to Help With Everyday Life

September 7, 2026

Pastor Paul Stephens

Another Way of Looking at the Same Thing

There are too many good things that God is doing to focus on the negative…there really is!

Is and are there negatives…Of course, I’m not denying that, but there is so much more, above and beyond whatever may be going wrong that we can focus on and be grateful for.

I like the spirit and the attitude of the Apostle Paul.

Things are tough, difficult, and challenging…he’s struggling under the weight of hardship, difficulty, and persecution.

We don’t find him highlighting all that…he mentions it in passing to get to what God is doing in his life.

We acknowledge problems, we don’t fixate on them as the only thing present in the landscape of our lives.

Consider this attitude and see if it’s not something you should be embracing.

2 Corinthians 4:16–18

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.

“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,

“while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen.

“For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

I say a very loud YES!…and AMEN!!…to that.

It’s not escapism, nor is it a refusal to face and deal with problems…It’s all about keeping your eyes on Jesus in the face of every challenge.

Prayer, reading your Bible, being directed by God’s Word, remaining faithful to your church, doing right, walking in obedience, continuing to serve, even when it seems to be so hard.

THAT is our focus, and you know what?…when we do that, eyes on Jesus…problems shrink, suddenly they become manageable and don’t seem to be overwhelming.

The mountains aren’t as formidable and the giant now appears to be something we can defeat and overcome.

Consider young David when he was sent to the battlefield so he could take back a report to his father.

The army of Israel is cowering, filled with fear before the giant Goliath.

The giant was all they saw.

David has another way of looking at the same thing.

He sees the Lord helping him to bring about a victory.

The giant was no match for a young boy who had faith in his God!

1 Samuel 17:45–46

“Then David said to the Philistine, ‘You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin.

“‘But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.

“‘This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and…all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.’”

That’s how you deal with problems you’re facing.

David had to go fight; God gave him a strategy, and he went forward with confidence.

So too should you.

There is not a problem, barrier, or obstacle that God cannot help you to overcome.

So don’t panic…get your eyes on Jesus, pray…seek out wisdom, and you’ll see, like the Apostle Paul:

“…the inward man is being renewed day by day…”

That’s my testimony, and it will be yours as well.