Time Perspective

Time perspective is a psychological concept that describes how people perceive and interpret the past, present, and future. Philip Zimbardo, a professor of psychology at Stanford University, identified five time perspectives: past-negative, viewing past experiences primarily in a negative light; past-positive, remembering the past fondly; present-hedonistic, seeking immediate pleasure and gratification; present-fatalistic, viewing life as predetermined and beyond one’s control; and future-oriented, focusing more on the future than on any other point in time. People differ in how they view the past, present, and future, as well as in the meaning and value they assign to each. Rather than having one dominant perspective, a person may exhibit a combination of two or three, and these perspectives may also change with age or circumstances. Depending on how we view time and the meaning we attach to it, we can learn from the past and provide sound guidance to guide the choices we make in the present.

For God's children, the future we look toward to most is heaven. The glorious future God has promised—a place where there will be no more death, pain, or sorrow—fills our lives today with anticipation and joy simply by its very existence. That hope not only inspires us to live faithfully in the present but also gives us the strength to overcome the trials and hardships we inevitably encounter.

On our journey to heaven, the past and the present are part of a process through which we come to understand the meaning of life and are molded into the likeness of God. Both are gifts God has given His children so that they may enjoy a radiant future. Even at this very moment, time continues to pass. Where we place our values and how we choose to fill that time are up to each of us.