Most of us would agree that the sense of sight is a blessing. The beauty, the diverse colors, patterns, and shapes of our world are a delight indeed. On the other hand, what happens when our eyes rest upon something [or someone] that elicit darker feelings of fear, even anger?

For example:

  • The neighbor’s cuddly cute pup tears through your patio and flips over a flower planter.
  • Your best friend forgets to call or send a card on your birthday.
  • The bright blue heavens darken and deluge your family picnic with a gully-washer.
  • The doctor eye-balls every gesture as you try to downplay evidence of your indulgences.
  • You stare at your tax return, dismayed with your refund.

When push comes to shove, there’s no doubt it’s difficult to find the light amid the darkness. While none of the aforementioned events are life-threatening, they could definitely be considered life-disrupting—and maybe that’s where we need to make the distinction.

Early in my diagnosis, surgeries, and treatment for a hernia, and shortly thereafter breast cancer, I struggled to see the light, to move into the brightness that would dispel the awful darkness. Some days were better than others, however, I was soon humbled in the realization that willpower alone was not sufficient to change my thinking.

Eventually I realized the grace of God was the only way I could move through these difficulties and unknowns so my quiet mantra became, “Lord, I believe, help my unbelief.” [Mark 9:24] It was in those moments that my focus changed. When I made that choice, I began to see [pun intended] the possibilities and hope that I’d missed in being so focused on the darkness. And no, this transition did not occur overnight.

Maybe our greatest challenge is to see our numerous everyday disruptions in light of what they are—for the most part, inconveniences. Which means that if we give them more than passing attention, we may soon find ourselves stuck in the joyless darkness of negativity that seems even more impossible to overcome when the really bad stuff does happen.

Our visual sight is one thing, yet being able to see with the eyes of our heart can open us to an abundance of the blessings only the Divine can shower upon us. [Ephesians 1:18]

Sometimes all it takes is an ever so slight change in our focus.

Do I tend to focus on the darkness rather than the light? Why?

How do I feel about asking God to help me with my unbelief?

Do I need to spend less time on the inconvenient disruptions?