The first thing to go is perspective

Life’s more challenging lessons are rarely learned just once. I’ve discovered that when it comes to the more difficult ones I have an incredibly short memory and find myself in constant need of re-learning.

One of the more poignant of those lessons emerges from a succinct teaching of Jesus. While instructing His followers to not worry He underscored the challenge with this astute observation: “Which of you by worrying can add one inch to your height?” (My paraphrase)

Many life coaches have grasped that simple truth and transformed it into full-length seminars. They reiterate and re-phrase the principle stressing the futility of worrying about things that are beyond one’s control.

“Control what you can,” they say, “and then do everything in your power to let go of things outside your control.”

There is a reason this lesson has surfaced today.

As I write these words, I am on an airplane that was delayed more than an hour because of a computer malfunction. The probable result is that I will miss my connecting flight in Toronto, which just happens to be the last flight of the day. Airline tickets, hotel reservations, everything is jeopardized and my worry gene has kicked in. I can feel the adrenaline level rising inside me and know that if I am not careful I will mishandle the moment.

I am surprised at how quickly one little glitch can colour my perspective. No one has died; no one has been injured; most, if not all of the money involved will be covered by the airline; I am not missing any assignments, just a few hours of relaxation and recreational time. The sole outcome of this little mishap is inconvenience, yet I find myself worried and frustrated.

The result is that I am writing these words to you as a form of personal therapy for me. I am seeking to consciously nudge myself toward a healthier perspective. Worrying won’t make the pilot fly any faster. Worrying won’t make the American customs officials process my border crossing any more efficiently. Worrying won’t make the airline hold the next plane. Worrying will have only one result, it will lead me to treat others poorly and rob me of the joy of a pleasant flight together with my wife.

So, I am going to try to listen to the advice of Jesus, at least for the next 15 minutes. Then, I suspect I’ll need to re-learn the lesson again for the next half hour, and then the one after that.

In His worry-free talk, Jesus said, “Your Heavenly Father knows what you need, so just let go.” Maybe, what I really need more than making my next connection is an attitude adjustment. Maybe what I really need is a new perspective when little things go wrong. Maybe what I need is to learn how to trust.

Tim Schroeder is pastor at Trinity Baptist Church in Kelowna. This column appears weekly in Okanagan Weekend.