Change Your POV

Every story, every situation, is multifaceted. Each side reflects the light - or truth - in a slightly different way.  Writers call it poin...

Every story, every situation, is multifaceted. Each side reflects the light - or truth - in a slightly different way. 
Writers call it point of view (POV, in writerese). Artists call it perspective. The way we view or perceive our situation can limit us or set us free.

Writing from a character's POV limits us to what that character can see, feel, taste, touch and sense. It's a difficult transition to make as a writer, coming at the story from the omniscient POV of the narrator.

It's even more difficult as a human, with our limitations in knowledge and understanding. But one thing we can do, in every situation, is try to "see" it from a different point of view.

Paul had to do that. 

Kept under house arrest for two years in Rome, Paul could have gotten cranky, whiny, and bitter about his situation. Instead, he wrote letters to all the churches he had visited and helped to start. Many of those letters are now what we refer to as the New Testament of the Bible. Paul's ministry has extended far beyond his own life span, or the geographic region to which he traveled. By choosing to look at a limitation he couldn't control, Paul extended the reach of God's love and goodness in Christ through the centuries and around the world.

What limitations have circumstances placed on you in this season of life? Financial restrictions? Physical limitations? Time constraints? How could you look at those circumstances differently?

You Might Also Like

6 Comments

  1. Terri TiffanySeptember 24, 2010 at 9:09 AM

    Great analogy. I'm doing that now in my life due to financial restrictions. Trying to find a way to make this time count for the Lord.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Niki TurnerSeptember 24, 2010 at 10:04 AM

    Thanks Terri! I know exactly what you mean. I'm housebound until we drum up enough $$$ to get my car fixed. It's been interesting!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Gwen StewartSeptember 25, 2010 at 4:40 AM

    Ah, Niki, you're singing my tune here. I have a mild, but chronic smattering of autoimmune illnesses. Nothing that even comes close to threatening my life (thank God) but zaps my strength and my energy. It's so disheartening sometimes...but it's also taught me so much, like the value of daily grace and total reliance on God's provision. For all the pain, etc, that I've endured, I'm not sure I'd trade my illness. It's taught me so much. It's grown me so much as a child of God.

    May He bless you richly this weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Cheryl KlarichSeptember 25, 2010 at 2:59 PM

    Great post Nikki. I need to get my act together during this season of being at home more due to kids needing the cars for school and work.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Niki TurnerSeptember 27, 2010 at 12:03 PM

    Gwen, I have such respect for people who face chronic illness and hold fast to their faith and joy and trust in God. It is true that sometimes we learn the most valuable lessons in trials.
    Blessings to you in your journey.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Niki TurnerSeptember 27, 2010 at 12:05 PM

    Cheryl,
    I'm with ya. Once all the children are gone for the day I'm out here in rural Colorado on my own. Somehow I thought it would be so EASY to get things done, but it's not! It almost requires more discipline.

    ReplyDelete

Disqus for In Truer Ink

ads