More Lions - Ch 4

The Art of Reframing


Reframe -to change the focus or perspective of (a view) through a lens.


“Reframing circumstances, and you start focusing on what’s right with God.”-Mark Batterson


Reframing requires shifting the context. Context determines what and how we see things, events, people, problems, etc. , much in the same way a picture frame determines what portion of the scene we see. When we learn to “reframe” our problems, we change the context, bringing God and his truth into the situation…and that changes how we see everything!


A frame=limits. The smaller we zoom in on a problem, the bigger the problem seems in our minds. The farther we zoom out, the smaller the problems seems. We see the big picture, and we see how God wants to use problems to serve a bigger purpose.


So how can you “reframe” your problems? It requires that you….


1) Refocus your prayer


-Are you asking God to take away your difficult circumstance, or are you asking God to show you what He wants you to get out of the difficult circumstance?


Matthew 26:42: 42 He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.


Romans 8:28-30: 28 ²⁸ And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who^[i] have been called according to his purpose. ²⁹ For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. ³⁰ And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.


2) Refocus on worship


Worship allows us to zoom out and focus on the big picture


We we worship God, our focus is naturally taken off of our circumstances and is instead directed at Him.


Worship provides perspective about who we are in Christ


3) Refocus your view of adversity


More problems=more potential


Your suffering becomes your ministry!


Ex. Paul’s sufferings


1 Peter 1:6-7 6 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.


Closing Thought: How’s your focus these days? Are you praying to get out of trouble instead of praying through it? Are you worrying when instead you should be worshiping? Are you so focused on how much adversity that you’re facing that you have forgotten how great your God is? Take some time this week to refocus in each of these areas. Pray through your lion encounters. Worship God despite the fact you are staring a lion in the eyes. And remember that the scars that these lions inevitably give you will serve as a declaration to others of how great your God is and what He brought you through.


Note from Morgan: I've been really realizing the truth in the idea that if we refocus on worship, our perspective on adversity will change. A wise man (that I wouldn't dare want him to know I think is wise) that I work with gave me the advise to "keep looking up and not at [my problems]." Same premise. When we focus on God - who is REAL BIG - things around you can become smaller. It's a weird version of distraction...I mean really, if we're first focused on God, we won't BE distracted by the annoying/frustrating/challenging things in your life. And while worship isn't just singing and music, it's my "love language" in terms of worship and nothing refocuses me that turning up some of my favorite praise songs (thank you Spotify) and singing real loud (I wait to do this to KLOVE in the car...).