I prefer life to make sense. I want two plus two to equal four. I like to work with real numbers, not imaginary ones. I find repeating decimals—the ones that repeat indefinitely—annoying; how can you come to a definitive solution, when there isn’t one? And what do all these math references have to do with perception, perspectives, my life experience, or God?
This morning I found myself musing over how easy it is to engage in circular thinking. I encounter a problem. I begin to analyze it—to identify the problem, its component parts, its origin, the dynamics and factors involved—in an effort to understand the problem and solve it. There are multiple points in the solution- finding process at which I can get stuck for lack of information, knowledge, or comprehension. I end up where I started—with a problem. Substitute “question” for “problem” and you go through much the same process; questions raise other questions--some have answers, others remain open-ended or loop us back to an incomplete answer to the original question.
No where does circular reasoning become more apparent than when I am trying to make sense of life situations and how God fits into the scope and sequence of happenings. I usually end up with partial answers, partial solutions, partial understanding and partial peace. “Partial” can be unsettling, even unsatisfactory; it can stir up a whole range of thought and emotion. How we handle the “partial” aspect of life depends largely on our paradigms and related perceptions.
Perceptions are what one thinks is true about a situation. Paradigms are what one believes to be true. In life, what we believe to be true influences how we view and what we perceive about given situations. For example, if I believe that all people are dishonest, I will be quick to question everyone’s motives and interpret their actions accordingly. The paradigm-perception relationship has a profound effect in our daily walk as believers and on the kind of relationship we have with God. Ultimately, what we believe to be true about God—who He is, His plans and purposes—and our identity—who we are, our place and purpose—will determine what we think, what we do, and how we feel as we experience life.
Perhaps this sounds like an over-simplification; that it may be. However, I’d rather err on the side of simplifying life than complicating it. For me, the simple truth, to which I return again and again, is that in all things, only God knows and my best choice—His best for me—is to trust Him. Life has its “two plus two equals four” moments—times of relative certainty when results are generally predictable. Conversely, there are times when occurrences are inexplicable, no matter from which earth-bound angle we process them. I realize I have a tendency to work hard at making sense of life, thinking that it is the key to smoother sailing or bringing closure to difficulties. “Trusting God” seems too nebulous for my immediate comfort—when I am desperate for relief or resolution.
In all my calculating and manipulating of the numbers and facts, the truth is, I can’t understand the mind or counsel of God apart from that which he chooses to reveal to me. I am learning, one small step at a time, that it is much more profitable for my peace of mind, soul, and heart, to stop trying to bring God down into my earth-level understanding and better to let Him bring me up to His heavenly perspective and knowing.
Paradigms power perceptions and perceptions fuel emotions. Do I want to keep striving to work and figure things out according to my partial understanding, or change the focus of my striving to doing the work He has called me to—“This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.”? (John 6:29) Is a paradigm shift to one of simply believing God and trusting His ways sufficient to change my perspective, my perceptions, my expectations, my emotions? I believe so.
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