As I recently posted on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter, Frank Capra’s “It’s a Wonderful Life” is my favorite movie of all-time.  I used to make the kids watch it when they were young and now I try to convince them to watch it with me – mostly they just make fun of me for watching a black and white movie.

I love “It’s a Wonderful Life” for several reasons but I especially love the scene at the end of the movie when George is running through the snowy streets of Bedford Falls. He is running through the streets giddy with joy after realizing he truly has a wonderful life.  As Clarence (his guardian angel) stated in the movie, George was given a wonderful gift – the gift of perspective. Because his perspective changed his outlook on life went from suicidal to joyful.

I agree with Frank Capra – it is a wonderful life, but life is not always going to be wonderful. Bad stuff is going to happen: job loss, sickness, divorce, financial hardships, etc. God promises this in 1 Thessalonians 3:3 “so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them.”

The key to getting through these hardships is having the proper perspective. To get the proper perspective it is helpful to think of the past and to think of the future:

1. He has delivered us in the past – Think back to past trials; how did God get you through? What is your perspective on those trials now? 2 Corinthians 1:10 “He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us,”
2. He has a promise for the future – No matter what your circumstance is currently, God gives us hope for the future – Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

So how do we keep the proper perspective of the past and the proper perspective of future in mind? The best way is to stay close to Him – John 15:4 “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.”

Yes life is truly wonderful as long as we have the proper perspective and the best way to have the proper perspective is to abide in Him; stay close to Him – He will deliver you from whatever you are facing today!

In His Service,

Ed