Seeing with New Eyes When the World Feels Shaky
These days, it often feels like the world is spinning out of control. Every time we turn on the news or look around, we see injustice and trouble, and it’s easy to feel worried or even hopeless. But there’s another way to see things—a way that goes beyond what meets the eye. That’s what “awakening spiritual vision” is all about: learning to notice what God is doing behind the scenes, even when everything looks bleak.
Learning to See Beyond the Obvious
Think of it like this: Most of us look at the world with our “regular eyes,” taking things at face value. But sometimes, those regular eyes can’t see the whole picture. In tough times, God invites us to use our “spiritual eyes” to notice that He’s still working, even when we can’t see it right away. This idea goes way back to ancient times, like with the prophet Habakkuk. He lived in a world full of problems and wasn’t afraid to ask God the hard questions, like, “Why are you letting all this bad stuff happen?” God’s answer was basically, “I’m doing things you wouldn’t even believe if I told you.” So, just because we don’t see results immediately, it doesn’t mean God isn’t at work.
Why It’s Hard to See Sometimes
The truth is, it’s easy to get stuck seeing only the problems right in front of us. People in the Bible, just like us, often missed what God was doing because they were distracted, stubborn, or just didn’t want to listen. Jesus spoke in stories (parables) because He knew some people’s hearts just weren’t open. The challenge for us is to keep our hearts and minds open, willing to listen, and ready to see things from God’s perspective.
Building a Strong Foundation
If we want to get better at “seeing” what God is doing, we need to start with a solid foundation—things like reading the Bible, praying, and spending time with God. That’s how we tune in to what He’s saying and doing. Just like you can’t build a sturdy house on sand, you can’t build a strong life without truth. The more we soak in God’s wisdom, the easier it becomes to see beyond the chaos.
Understanding the Times and Acting Wisely
There’s a story in the Bible about the men of Issachar—people who “understood the times and knew what to do.” We need that kind of wisdom today. It’s not just about knowing what’s happening, but about figuring out the right thing to do in response. This isn’t just about using our brains; it’s about letting God open our hearts and minds so we can see the bigger picture.
Growing in Spiritual Maturity
Like anything else, learning to see spiritually takes practice. The more we pay attention to God and follow His ways, the better we get at noticing His hand at work in our lives and in the world. It’s like building a muscle—the more you use it, the stronger it gets. With time, things that once seemed hidden start to become clear.
Hope in the Middle of Uncertainty
Even when things get really dark, God still sees us. The Bible says His eyes are always on people who do what’s right, and He listens when we ask for help. Sometimes, the way God works doesn’t make sense to us. He might use people or situations we don’t expect. But nothing catches Him off guard, and everything He does has a purpose—even if we can’t see it right away.
A Simple Prayer for Today
Here’s a plain wish for everyone: May our hearts and minds be open to see what God is doing, especially when life feels overwhelming. May we be filled with hope, peace, and love as we try to make sense of things and look for signs of God’s work around us.
Conclusion: Choosing to See Differently
It’s so easy to get bogged down by all the bad news and uncertainty. But we have a choice. We can decide to look for the good, to watch for ways God is moving, and to hang on to hope, even when it’s hard. Having “spiritual vision” just means choosing to see with faith—believing that God is working in ways we might not understand yet. If we do this, we’ll be ready to face whatever comes, amazed by what God can do even in the most turbulent times.
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