Distorted Vision

A black form with spindly legs dropped and dangled next to my left eye. I jumped as I swiped at it, but the black glob hovered. I splashed water in my eye and rubbed it. The spidery form not only remained, but spawned spider babies drifting throughout my field of vision. That evening, lightening strikes flashed from the corner of my eye.

Fearing a retinal tear or detachment, I contacted my doctor. After examining my eye, the doctor diagnosed a floater that obstructed the normal pathway for light, thus casting shadows on my retina. Thankfully, she did not see a tear. She instructed me not to focus my gaze on the floater, but to look beyond the black shadow toward the horizon. By focusing on the floater, the nerve impulses sent to it would be strengthened, distorting my vision. 

As I pondered this, I discovered a spiritual truth. The brain is wired to strengthen what we focus on: a memory, our studies, a routine and even scripture. If I focus my thoughts on murmuring and complaining about the negative things in my life, I will only see the negative.

But if I choose to turn my gaze and focus on Jesus through prayer, praise and scripture, my vision will clear. I will be able see God’s greatness and His goodness in the midst of my circumstances. 

The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light.

Matthew 6:22 (ESV)

Read: Philippians 4:8-9

This devotion first appeared in the July/August 2018 issue of The Upper Room.

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