Is life merely a matter of perspective? Better put, is the way I experience life a matter of the way I perceive it? The “oppressed” are people that are “afflicted” in this proverb meaning that they are troubled in their mind and heart. This type of person believes that the world is against them, God does not love them, and everything happens to make them feel miserable. They are never satisfied and can always find a burden to carry in their heart and something to complain about. They live every day wretchedly and really don’t want it any other way. They find a peculiar satisfaction in making themself accept that they are always miserable.
Is the way I experience life a matter of the way I perceive it? Is the ability to be cheerful mine? Is the lighthearted and bubbly sibling of the oppressed miserable child able to make lemonade out of a lemon? Or are they unwilling to accept reality? It is possible to see and experience the good in anything, but can that turn spoiled food into a continual feast? If the answer is yes as this proverb states, then I need to ask, “How can I be like that?”
Apostle Peter wrote to the oppressed congregations, “Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” (1 Peter 1:8-9) And the writer of the oppressed Hebrews directed, “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (Hebrews 12:2-3)
