Keep A Balanced Perspective On Life

Introduction: one of the most challenging things to do today is to keep a balanced perspective. So much of the information we receive is misinformation. The word balance has to do stability. To keep one’s body steady without falling; to keep one’s life steady without wavering; or the ability to compare two things and make the best choice. The bible speaks of this as being sober minded. The word perspective has to do with the point of view. Perspective is a certain point of view in understanding or judging things or circumstances. Our number battle is in the mind. The only way to combat the onslaught of Satan’s temptation is to view our human experience with a balanced perspective on life.

Life is made up of many different seasons, spring, summer, fall and winter. It’s made up of many highs and lows, valleys and mountaintops. Psalm 73 is a perfect illustration on the perspective Children of God should have. The psalmist opens the psalm with his conclusion. “Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.” No matter what follows, he concludes that God is good all the time! Psalm 73 is the chapter in the third division of the Psalm. The third division includes Psalm 73-89, here the psalmist confesses his struggle keeping things in proper perspective. How do keep the proper perspective during a relentless pandemic, social unrest, political rivalry, injustice and suffering? How do we keep the proper perspective we see the prosperity of the wicked while so many good men struggle to keep their heads above water? How do we keep the proper perspective when the world systems seems so unfair?

In Psalm 73, Asaph, the chief musician celebrates the sovereignty of God who is always faithful, covenant keeping and is in total control. Even the knowledge of a sovereign God, Asaph struggles to keep a balanced perspective on life. The doubts and frustrations in Asaph’s heart almost overwhelmed his mind. He was comparing his life to the lives of others around him. Truth be told, I have struggled with the very same thing. But then as he returned to Sanctuary of God, he received a new revelation from God. He confessed the sinfulness of his own thoughts and explained that the contrast in their destinies that cause him to keep the proper perspective. A child of God must view life with eternity in mind. We can keep a balanced perspective of life, by remembering (1) that God is good all the time (2) by avoiding becoming envious of the prosperity of the wicked (3) by appreciating the value of our salvation and (4) by maintaining a clear view of our future destiny. Consider his conclusion:

1. God is good all the time. Ps 73:1 “Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart. 2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. 3 For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. “

God’s goodness is experienced in His relationship with his people. In spite of our personal weaknesses, sinfulness and imperfect faith, God is good to us. We can find nothing to criticize in His character or in His dealings with us. Old folks used to say, “God has been better to me than I have been to myself.”He delivers us from enemies seen and unseen, and brought us into his glorious family. So Asaph began by affirming that God is good to those in Israel and those who trust Him with a pure heart. Asaph confesses that he “almost slipped.” His faith was shaken because he was envious of the wicked. He could not understand how people who opposed God seemed to be doing better than those who trusted God. Do not allow life’s challenges to shake your faith in God’s goodness. Settle it, God is Good all the time.

2. Do not become Envious of Others. (Not the workers of iniquity or the prosperity of the wicked.) 4 “For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm. 5 They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men. 6 Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment. 7 Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish. 8 They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily. 9 They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth. 10 Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them. 11 And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High? 12 Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.”