The Filters a Writer Uses to See the World Can Bring Our Readers Peace and Hope

by Katy Kauffman @KatyKaffman28

Diamonds danced on the water as light and wind teased the waves. I squinted under the summer sun for as long as I could, resisting the urge to put on my sunglasses. I didn't want anything to obstruct my view of the ocean. Shades of seafoam green and teal mixed as I gazed at the water. But the sun won out.

Surprise! My sunglasses didn’t diminish the view—they enhanced it. With no more glare, I could see the ocean clearly, and the brown tint of my lenses enhanced the beauty already present. When I thought my view of the ocean would be diminished, it actually became better. 

As we go through life, we may try to make sense of the landscape without any aid. We may struggle to observe the beauty and the hardships for what they are, squinting as best as we know how. Some people may choose a “filter,” or perspective, through which they see life. Their filter may be “I’ll make it on my own no matter what.” Or they may choose “No one is ever going to hurt me again.” But that way of seeing things can often leave us frustrated and angry. Or desperate. 

What is God’s filter? How can we process life—and write about it—with the right perspective? How can we see the world from God’s viewpoint and give others hope?

The Filters that Bring Wisdom & Peace

These filters help us to see clearly and to know how to process life, so we can flourish in God’s wisdom and peace, instead of trying to make it on our own. Are you wearing these sunglasses today? Which filter would help you to handle life right now and write about it?

• “The goodness of God endures continually” (Psalm 52:1 NKJV).
• “All things work together for good to those who love God” (Romans 8:28 NKJV). 
• “In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul” (Psalm 94:19 NKJV). 
• “This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent” (John 17:3 NKJV).
• “For He satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness” (Psalm 107:9 NKJV).

When we can filter life through these truths, we see what God can do in a situation, and we have hope. We know how to write about life’s challenges and direct our readers to a Hero who can handle anything. 

The goodness of God. His comforts. Knowing Him. With a heart satisfied by Him. This is how we can go through life with hope and write about the hope we find in God and His Word. 

Is there a Bible verse above or one hidden in your heart that helps you to process life? Share that encouragement in the comments, and may God’s truths and promises always be the filter that enhances the beauty He can create in any difficulty. 

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The Filters a Writer Uses to See the World Can Bring Our Readers Peace and Hope, insight from author @KatyKauffman28 on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Katy Kauffman is an award-winning author, an editor of Refresh Bible Study Magazine, and a co-founder of LIGHTHOUSE BIBLE STUDIES. She loves connecting with writers and working alongside them in compilations, such as Feed Your Soul with the Word of God, Collection 1 which is a 2020 Selah Awards finalist. She also enjoys encouraging writers and giving writing tips in her monthly writers’ newsletter called THE LIGHTHOUSE CONNECTION.

In addition to online magazines, Katy’s writing can be found at CBN.COM, thoughts-about-God.com, and three blogs on writing. She loves to spend time with family and friends, create art and make crafts with her group MY ARTSY TRIBE, and tend the garden in the morning sun. She makes her home in a cozy suburb of Atlanta, Georgia. Connect with her on FACEBOOK and TWITTER.