Something that I like to ponder on is perspective. We all have one, because we each have an array of senses aimed toward everything external, and we rely on these senses to tell us what's "out there". A cookie is what our sight, smell, touch, and taste tell us it is. We can reliably identify this object, even if deprived of one or two of these senses.
There are also ways our perspectives let us down. By design, our minds have to form a view of the world that becomes the lens through which everything is interpreted. This lens may give us 20:20 vision towards some of the events that happen around us, maybe even 20:15 or 20:10; but can only give us 20:50 resolution in others. Quite simply, we have blind spots.
Like everything in our design, our deficiencies have a purpose. Our limitations make us dependent. We are dependent on God for his perfect perspective, and on our spiritual brothers and sisters to help us see what that is. Yes, we have access to God's revealed Word, which is an aspect of God's perfect perspective, but here too, our limitations encroach on our ability to understand.
The beginnings of our world view are formed emotionally in the home where we grew up. Things our parents do are interpreted by us when we are still infants, before we can talk. This is a very basic world view, and is centered on ourselves. From there it morphs into being centered on the home we live in, and we see things almost entirely through the eyes of our parents.
When we become adolescents, we become susceptible to peer pressure; and begin an experimental phase. From the teen years to perhaps the middle of our twenties, we pit the example of our parents against the behaviors that earn us the favor of our peers. All of this is done to establish our individual identity and figure out where and how it relates to the rest of the mob.
This whole process should continue through the rest of life. The way we see the world is never going to be perfect, and for this reason should never become completely settled. A world view too easily settled on and not continuously updated will eventually turn on us.
This is not to say that it should ever be completely swapped out. The goal of updating ones perspective is to peel back all the layers of bias and distraction until things can be seen clearly in the sometimes harsh light of truth. This is exactly the same as a life of daily repentance. We want the light of God's Word to reveal us for who we are, sins and all; and we want God's truth to be at the heart of our perspective.
True Christians invite the discernment of God's Law into their lives to reveal the fruits for what they are. We invite judgement, for without judgement there is no reason to repent, and without a need for repentance, what reason do we have to approach God?
Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound (Ro 5:20). Being receptive and even vulnerable to the light of God's Word through Bible reading and the input of spiritual brothers and sisters; means we can be sanctified in the day of grace. Those who do not choose judgment and repentance while grace abounds, will not fare well in the final judgement.
Having a world view is absolutely necessary. Our minds cannot function without one. But there is no safety in one that is inflexible. A healthy perspective will fluctuate through the different phases of life, sometimes too emotional, sometimes too rational.
The outlook we utilize as adolescents may be dramatically un-settled when we marry. Then kids come along and we have to pick our way through different child rearing approaches. In the context of objective truth and with God at the center of such a collision of perspectives, the Christian home becomes a living thing, constantly rising to face the challenges of life.
Pursue other outlooks than your own. Having the ability to put yourself in someone else's shoes is a good way build a more balanced outlook. At the same time, be careful when you read anything, especially this, because likely as not, you will be influenced. It is not a trivial thing, yielding to the influence of others. Compare everything to what you know to be true, and reject what is not; while at the same time being on guard for too easily rejecting truths that are uncomfortable.
Credit to this post of Bob Goodnough's, for being a stimulus for this writing. Go read that if you want to salvage the time you expended here.