Friday Fight 214: The 80/20 Lens - Seeing Potential Over Problems

Every Friday, when I wake and pray, God places something on my heart to help fight darkness beginning in our minds. Today is FF214.

Have you ever found yourself fixated on someone's flaws, so much so that you forgot why you loved them in the first place? How do we view the people closest to us? Through a lens of love and potential—or a filter of frustration and flaws?

When we see our spouse, partner, or child completing a task, do we lovingly see their potential or quickly focus on what they aren't doing correctly? How we view situations guides our thoughts, and what we do with those thoughts determines the course of our day. It is essential, especially as Christians, to have our 'lenses' checked, so to speak, through some self-reflection.

The 80/20 Lens: Seeing Potential Over Problems

We are all children of God, each deeply loved by Him. Every person carries their share of struggles and faults, and what a pastor friend calls being "jacked up" or even "functionally jacked up" while in the process of healing and growth under God's guidance.

For this reflection, imagine a pie chart representing 100% of a person. Realistically, you probably love 80% of who they are and what they do. This could be their kindness, sense of humor, or dedication. But the other 20%? That part might irritate you, hurt you, or be hard to deal with. This could be their forgetfulness, impatience, or tendency to be late. The enemy of our souls subtly draws our attention to that 20% and keeps it there. Without realizing it, we slowly start to magnify the flaws. Over time, that 20% grows in our minds to 30%, then 40%, and bitterness begins to take root.

How does this impact our hearts? When we focus on what we dislike in others and speak about it repeatedly—to them or others—we are damaging the relationship and undermining the person God has called us to love. God takes this seriously. But here's the good news: we can shift the lens if we intentionally focus on the 80%—the good, the admirable, the potential—and pray for and encourage the 20%, something powerful happens. Often, God will change us even though our prayers mention them. Philippians 4:8 supports the idea of intentionally focusing on the good. "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right… think about such things." So good.

Consider this object lesson. Imagine wearing glasses with a single smudge on one lens. The more you focus on the smudge, the more it dominates your view. You miss the beauty around you, all because of one minor flaw. But when we shift our focus to the 80%—to what's good, noble, and true—we give love room to grow.

So, this week's Friday Fight is a challenge to fight for the right perspective. Choose to focus on the 80%. Speak life, encourage growth, and pray over the rest, and then watch God move in them and us. Let's commit to this perspective, knowing it can bring about significant change.

Suggestion: Write down three things you love or admire about someone in your life or even someone you're struggling with. Thank God for those things, and pray over the rest. Repeat daily for one week.

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Photo Credit: Theresa Jett

In His Grace,

Pastor Shannon

River Church