Why do pictures have frames? A good frame enhances the picture by making sure it’s presented in the best possible way. The best frame will help a viewer see the picture at its fullest potential.
What frames your life? What do you use to make sense of it? If you don’t have anything in particular to guide you, there’s a better chance than not that you’ll adopt a pessimistic interpretation.
When I use the word pessimistic, I mean it in a relative sense. What you consider positive, might look negative when contrasted with God’s interpretation. God sees everything as it really is. Chances are, He sees you as much better than you see yourself.
Let’s look at the story of Lazarus as an example.
Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. Yet even now I know that God will do anything you ask.” Jesus told her, “Your brother will live again!” Martha answered, “I know that he will be raised to life on the last day, when all the dead are raised.” Jesus then said, “I am the one who raises the dead to life! Everyone who has faith in me will live, even if they die. And everyone who lives because of faith in me will never really die. Do you believe this?” “Yes, Lord!” she replied. “I believe that you are Christ, the Son of God. You are the one we hoped would come into the world.”
John 11:21-27 CEV
Martha knew enough about Jesus to know He can do great things and God will answer all He asks. But she assumed that Jesus was being positive only about the future, not the present.
Jesus could see more than Martha. He used His understanding to gently frame the situation for Martha. That’s the way it is for all of us. God sees more. He’ll probably always see more than we do. That’s why it’s good for us to believe Him and trust Him.
When Jesus saw that Mary and the people with her were crying, he was terribly upset and asked, “Where have you put his body?” They replied, “Lord, come and you will see.” Jesus started crying, and the people said, “See how much he loved Lazarus.”
John 11:33-35 CEV
Isn’t it amazing how much Jesus connects with the people in His life? He knows God. He knows He’s going to resurrect Lazarus. And, He’s so fully in tune with how Mary and Martha feel about their brother that He weeps with them.
Jesus looked up toward heaven and prayed, “Father, I thank you for answering my prayer. I know that you always answer my prayers. But I said this, so that the people here would believe that you sent me.” When Jesus had finished praying, he shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” The man who had been dead came out.
John 11:41-44 CEV
How about you? What do you have going on in your life that you’d like to share with Jesus? Tell Him your concerns. Tell Him how much faith you have in Him. Then, look for Jesus to frame your life in a way that goes beyond your expectations.
Frame your life in the best way you can. Give your life situation over to God. Ask Him to re-frame you. Be ready for a positive interpretation that exceeds your best interpretation. God loves you more than you realize.
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