Life will have a way of knocking the wind out of you but I wanted to encourage you to take the long term view.
Bullies at school, a sudden job loss, a betrayal, a diagnosis, a moment of panic or fear. In the short term, everything can feel like it’s falling apart. We worry. We stress. We imagine the worst.
But time has a way of clarifying things. What felt like a disaster in the moment, a week, a month, or a year later may seem much smaller. In fact, sometimes it turns out to be a turning point—something God used to grow us, correct our path, or strengthen our faith.
The Power of Perspective
When we live only day-to-day, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. But when we zoom out and look at life through a long lens, the pieces begin to fit together.
The Bible is full of this kind of long-range thinking.
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”
—Romans 8:28
It doesn’t say that everything is good—but that everything works together for good. That’s the long perspective. God sees the full picture, while we often only see the snapshot.
Joseph: From Prison to Palace
Take Joseph. His brothers sold him into slavery. He was falsely accused. Thrown in prison. Forgotten.
In the moment? A tragedy.
But years later, looking back, Joseph told his brothers:
“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”
—Genesis 50:20
God wasn’t absent in the pit, the prison, or the pain. He was preparing Joseph for something greater.
Jesus: The Cross Wasn’t the End
There’s no better example than Jesus. The disciples saw the cross as the end. All their hope died on that Friday.
But from heaven’s perspective? It was the turning point of all human history.
“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”
—2 Corinthians 4:17
What we see as tragedy, God often uses for triumph.
Wisdom from Ecclesiastes
Solomon reminds us:
“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart…”
—Ecclesiastes 3:11
In other words, we were made to think beyond the moment. God designed us to live with eternity in mind.
Practical Steps to Think Long
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Pause before reacting. Don’t let emotion drive your response. Give it time.
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Ask: What might God be teaching me? Every trial can refine us.
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Remember past faithfulness. If God brought you through before, He will again.
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Trust in the eternal view. This life isn’t all there is. Heaven is real, and forever is longer than today.
Final Thoughts
To my grandchildren and anyone else who might come across this, when you’re in the middle of it, it’s hard to see clearly, but take heart. The same God who parted the Red Sea, raised the dead, and turned Saul into Paul is working in your life—even when it feels like everything is falling apart.
Don’t judge the story by the current chapter. God’s still writing.
Look through the long lens. Trust the Author.
