Randy Alcorn’s life, calling, and ministry can be rolled up in one word: perspective.

Daniel Traugott was a 13-year-old boy who died in a car accident, leaving behind his mother, father and four siblings. His mother, Sandy, sent us the following poems she wrote that reflect two different perspectives on his death. (Reprinted with permission.)

What, after all, is more universal to human experience than suffering? And what is more important than the perspective we bring to it?

Happiness in Heaven is based not on ignorance, but on perspective. We will be with Christ, see accurately, and live in a sinless environment. Heavenly happiness cannot be based on a fundamental ignorance of what is happening on Earth or even in Hell.

To overcome stress you must either change your circumstances or your perceptions. You can change some circumstances, of course, but many you cannot.  

Back in 1921, a missionary couple named David and Svea Flood went with their two-year-old son from Sweden to the heart of Africa—to what was then called the Belgian Congo.