Seeing and perceiving are different. All people with physical eye sight use their eyes to observe. (Those without eye sight have other senses heightened.) Light is the means the brain uses to see through our eyes. Perception is the process in the brain that interprets the light. This is where seeing and perceiving becomes interesting, because many factors contribute to differences in perception.
There are many things that effect our perception. Physical differences such as the need for corrective lenses vs 20/20 vision is one category. Another category is life experiences, such as the culture one grows up in, or events one has experienced that others have not.
Traumas, from sudden and extreme events, or long-term patterns, often shape the way we understand what we see. These traumas often become experiences we can get stuck in, making us fearful. On the other hand, lots of good experiences can help us to more easily believe the best in others. So far, we are talking about the physical aspects of seeing and perceiving. There is another way to look at this as well, and that is spiritually.
When the Creator of all things made our world, and put us in it, none of our life experiences escaped His attention. (Psalm 139) I believe that is part of why we have the written Word, the Bible, and the Word that became flesh, in Jesus. Those who follow Jesus also have the Holy Spirit in us to help us remember Creator’s promises and to empower us to see and perceive well.
I love Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 1:15-23 A portion of it is here, and the emphasis is mine.
“17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength,. . .”
When we genuinely ask for the eyes of our hearts to be enlightened, our Creator gives it freely. In the light of God’s Word, our clarity of seeing and perceiving grows closer to how our Creator wants us to see. That is how we can begin to see beyond our circumstances, beginning to understand the bigger picture of our lives. As we ask, we begin to heal from our past experiences and find power to grow I relationship with our God, as well as in wisdom, and hope. This growth takes grace, truth and time. It also takes some practice, just like everything else in life, but trust me, it is worth it.
Are you experiencing difficulties and challenges? Do you need wisdom and hope? I encourage you to find a quiet place to lean in, and pray the prayer above. Follow the link to the entire prayer for more insight.
