Clearing the Spiritual Cataracts: Seeing Life Through a Brighter Lens

This week, dark storm clouds crept over the skies of our area.

Life brings its own storm clouds.

I have found a quiet, critical sense creeping into my thoughts. Nothing is quite right, and I want it different from what it is. I noticed what’s off like a beachgoer finds sand.

So what’s the problem?

In 1 Kings 19, Elijah, fresh from overwhelming success at Mt. Carmel, finds himself morose. He feels afraid, forgotten, and overwhelmed.

He hid in a cave to have his pity party, at which he was the honored guest. His life is blacker than ebony, and he wants to die.

He has a list of complaints he offers to God. His prayer has a radish taste. He alone must fight the battle. I am unappreciated and threatened.

All have been in Elijah’s cave looking for answers to life. Nothing works as it should.

And the small voice in our minds says, “If I were in charge, this would be different.”

Gripe, gripe, gripe.

Where does this come from? It is too convenient to use the circumstances of life as our whipping boy. A long stare in a mirror is a better source.

Jesus reminds us:

“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!” (Matthew 6:22–23, NIV)

The eye filters what gets seen. It focuses and notices. But it is easy to grow spiritual cataracts that cloud our vision. We notice only what we want to notice, not all of life.

If the eye sees the hard and brittle, that is what the soul believes.

But you can notice other things. As Paul did in prison, he saw beyond the bars to the gospel spreading and people being emboldened. As Joseph did in slavery, he saw past the dungeon and watched for the hand of God.

So how do we reduce the tendency to become critical?

Change Your Inputs

We live in a world in which bad news sells papers (or gets views). I become more critical when I surround myself with bad news…and it’s all bad news.

When the focus of your attention is on murder, mayhem, and malice, no wonder the eye grows bad.

So filter social networks, unfollowing or pausing those who feed your beast. Close news sources, regardless of which “side” they are on. I have found that a peaceful spirit is better than an informed mind. It is not being Pollyannaish but self-protective.

Look For the Stars

I remember taking a flight out of Denver one January night. A heavy overcast started dumping snow as we began our taxi. As we lifted off, we climbed, and soon the clouds were below and the stars above shone.

We had to get above the clouds to see the stars.

I have learned that when I’m down, I should start a list of things besides my gripes. Focus on the blessings you have. Compare yourself with what life could be. The more blessings you discover, the less complaining you will do.

So, I have to work on myself to see the stars. What do you need to do?