In G. K. Chesterton's biographical sketch of St. Francis of Assisi, he describes a time when Francis felt deep discouragement and a sense of failure. He emerged from that experience looking at the world "as differently from other men as if he had come out of that dark hole walking on his hands."

"If a man saw the world upside down," Chesterton continues, "with all the trees and towers hanging head downward as in a pool, one effect would be to emphasize the idea of dependence. . . . for the very word dependence only means hanging."

Standing upright, we see a world rising on the foundations of our own achievements. Turned upside down, we see everything suspended precariously, dependent on God rather than being solid and secure.

As we yield to Christ and turn from our self-sufficiency to depend fully on Him, we gain a new perspective. The result is freedom, joy, and thankfulness for all the gifts of God. Romans 12:2 calls it being transformed "by the renewing of your mind"—becoming a new and different person with a fresh newness in all we do and think.

Being turned upside down isn't a pleasant experience, but it can lead us to a liberating new view of life.  — David C. McCasland