I recently started working out again after taking a year off from regular exercise. I never made a conscious decision to stop working out. It just happened. Life was busy and another year passed.
About two weeks into my new routine, one morning I still struggled just to get up and go to the gym. Somehow, I made it. On the treadmill, I slowly put one foot in front of the other. The whole time I thought, “I hate this. I wish I could skip over this part of getting back into shape. I’d like to be anywhere else right now.”
Suddenly, the guy on the treadmill next to me leaned over and said, “Man, I wanna be like you one day! This is my first day back in the gym. I used to be a boxer but I got lazy and I haven’t worked out in 10 years!”
I gave a few excuses about why I was just starting back and was having a hard time sticking with it. I managed to put together a few encouraging words about hanging in there. Then we both continued our workouts.
Later, as I reflected on this experience, it made me think about how we often believe the worst about ourselves. Why don’t we choose to believe the best about ourselves, instead? It’s so easy to be critical of who we are, and the areas we believe “must” get better. Others are probably looking at that same area in their lives and wishing they had accomplished what we have.
Looking at ourselves from another person’s perspective is a powerful experience. Looking at ourselves from God’s perspective is transformational. Isn’t it amazing to realize that God already sees the best in you? You can accomplish what He created you for; He wants to see your potential fulfilled so that you can serve Him well.
Change Your Perspective
Try seeing yourself through the eyes of others. What traits or qualities do your friends and family most appreciate about you?
Stop the comparison game. When you compare, you focus on what is lacking rather than what you already have.
Ask for God’s perspective. He designed you for a specific purpose and has already given you everything you need through Jesus to do all that He has called you to do. Pray that you would see yourself through His eyes.
Ever since that day in the gym, I’ve been excited about my progress instead of focusing on how far I have to go. That small change in perspective has made a lasting difference.
What would happen if you started believing the best about yourself? How could that simple change make a difference over the course your day, or week, or year?
