Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. (Acts 8:4, NIV)

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Some of us come by it naturally, some of us, not so much... but it's a beautiful thing, the ability to reframe. Failed at something? Reframe it into a learning experience. Difficult situation? Really, it's just a growth opportunity!

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The cynic might say the reframe is just denial, but reframing is the optimist's reflex. And while we can certainly take reframing too far when we just use it to avoid reality, there is something about one's ability to reframe a situation that can be used for great good.  

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While the modern social sciences agree that reframing can lead to greater resiliency, Scripture demonstrates the importance of reframing for our faith, too. Here's why: ultimately, experience is greatly impacted by perspective, right? How you experience something is partly due to what is literally happening in the world around you, but it's also greatly dependent on how you interpret the events in the broader narrative of life.  

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I'll throw myself in the ring for the sake of argument: About six years ago my husband and I were members of ACF Church, serving, leading, and loving being a part of this community. And then, just when we were about to take some big steps toward continuing down that life trajectory, God threw us some major curveballs. We jokingly say that we left Alaska kicking and screaming, and that was partially true, for sure. But we also chose to frame that curveball in the context of our faith. Even as we didn't understand God's methods, we chose to believe that he had purpose in that move and that his plan was ultimately best and bigger than ours had been. It broke our hearts, but the reframe made a big difference in how we experienced that time in our lives.  

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And it turns out, we were right! God did have purpose in that, and, despite what we saw as setbacks and barriers at the time, he still accomplished what we had believed he was calling us to - just not when we had assumed he'd do it. Maybe you've been in a similar situation with God before, as well. When we tell that story today, you can see how the reframe has shaped our understanding of that uncomfortable time in our lives and our faith as a whole.  

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We see the same many times in Scripture, too. Today, let's zero in on Acts 8 and how God helped the first believers reframe a really tough situation in a way that enabled them to see God's hand at work in their suffering. Acts 8:1 says, "And Saul approved of their killing [Stephen]. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria." But watch how Luke, the author of Acts, reframes this horrific event in light of watching God work through it. Verse 4 says, "Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went." God did not waste these tragic events in the lives of those who loved him; he used them to bring new life and hope to so many more as the gospel spread because of this scattering!

We shouldn't be too surprised when God uses the same method in our lives, either. After all, he is Creator, Redeemer, Restorer...of course he is always weaving new life from brokenness; it's what he does. Romas 8:28 reminds us, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."  

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This is the power of the reframe: It's not ignoring the facts or the brokenness around us. Reframing allows us to shift from our limited, human perspective to align more closely with God's. When we reframe our circumstances, not according to the perspective and principles of this world, but according to the plans and purposes of our Heavenly Father, we trade discouragement and disillusionment for steadfast, hope-filled faith.  

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So next time discomfort comes your way, I hope you'll reframe according to the guidance of the Spirit, just like our author Luke did in Acts 8. Not to just ignore your pain or circumstances, but because of your steadfast hope and trust in the One who is working it all together for our good and his glory.  

Heavenly Father, we trust you! But help us in our unbelief. Spirit, will you guide our minds today to see the world as you see it. When we experience discomfort in this world, especially when it’s for your name’s sake, will you guide us into a perspective that remembers that YOU are on the throne and working it all for good. In Jesus’ name, amen.