Living in the Rearview Mirror

I’ve heard a saying before that your rearview mirror is smaller than your windshield because what’s behind you is smaller and less significant, than what’s in front of you. That was such a profound statement to me at the time because I was living my life while continually looking behind me. I was looking at past mistakes. I looked at how things went so wrong when they were “supposed” to be going right. I was looking at how I could have done better and therefore changed my situation for the better. I wasn’t moving forward at that point because I wasn’t using my large windshield to look at my bright future. Instead, I was looking in my much smaller rearview at my dismal past.

After meditating on that windshield/rearview mirror statement, I realized I had to change my outlook on life. I finally understood that what was in front of me was so much larger and better than what I’d been through. I began to meditate on God’s promises for my future, and things began to change for me.

I’d focus on promises like:

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." (NIV)

Psalm 37:4, “Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” (NIV)

And, Philippians 1:6, “…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (NIV)

When we focus on the large windshield in front of us, a.k.a. God’s Promises, we can clearly see the good things that the future holds. When we focus on our much smaller and less significant rearview mirror, we can’t even see the future because we are constantly focused on what has already passed. When we are driving a car, if we continuously look behind us, we are much more prone to an accident. The same holds true when we are going through life and continuously look at the disappointments of the past, we are much more prone to continue to be disappointed. We can't stay focused on the fact that the business failed or continue to try to understand why the miscarriage happened. We can't beat our heads against the wall with regret wondering why the relationship didn't work or why the opportunity just wasn't there for us. Trying to figure out the past will stop us from riding into our awesome future. We have to look ahead and enjoy the beautiful scenery that God is giving us along the way as we continue our journey to reach His Promises for our life.

Happy travels!

#perseverance #God #hope #GodsPromises #Miscarriage #disappointment