Everything looked black. The past had nothing but bad memories and regrets. The future wavered in a haze of insecurity. My present life seemed nothing but endless events, errands, and errors. Lots of errors.
Then in my daily quiet time, I came across the Scripture about the eye being the lamp of the whole body. Admittedly, my eyes were dark that morning. As the idea of the eye being the lamp registered in my sluggish brain, I had a single, profound thought. Considering the funk I was in, it was most assuredly the divine mercy of God giving me inspiration. The epiphany was . . . I have the wrong perspective.
I’d been looking through eyes of fear, dismay, and dread. However unintentional, I allowed fear to get the upper hand. For days, bad weather had me cooped up in the house, watching more news than usual. Simply put – the darkness outside and too many crime reports pushed me out of balance.
Whatever the reason, entertaining dark thoughts and the habit of worry is sin. I confessed to the Lord, asked his forgiveness, and moved on—determined to maintain a healthier perspective. While it probably won't be the last time I have to confess those particular sins, no matter how many times I miss the mark, God graciously forgives wrongdoing and sets my feet on the right road. He understands my humanity better than I do.
If we dwell on sorrow, our outlook will be sad and dreary. If we ask for grace to see differently, God will help us see any situation through His eyes of never-ending light.
Allow it to be your desire to have God's perspective. Then look through eyes of love, and your whole body will be full of light.
(Photo coutesy of morguefile and DeduloPhotos.)
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Mary Pat Johns is currently a Bible teacher at Faith Family, a mega-church in Victoria, Texas. Her teaching venues include assignments for ladies’ Bible study and assisting her husband with their weekly Understanding God class. She also serves as an instructor for Destiny Bible Institute. A mother and grandmother, she lives with her husband and their miniature dachshund Ike, who runs the show.