Seeing Beyond What Is Seen
There are times when I reflect on what felt like an extended season of sadness and uncertainty in my life. I recall feeling overwhelmed by circumstances that seemed intent on defeating me daily. My life was an emotional roller coaster, with loops that varied between “I can make it through today” and “I don’t think I can continue on this terrifying ride.” So, what made the difference in these mindsets?
Simply put, it was whether I focused my mind on the things of God. I often reminded myself of the story of Peter, who bravely stepped out of the boat, empowered by seeing Jesus walk on the water. But when he took his eyes off Jesus and focused on his circumstances—the ferocious wind—he began to sink. Much of my self-talk during that time was, “Eyes on Christ, I walk; eyes on my circumstances, I sink.”
The world says seeing is believing, but God calls us to believe in order to see. The psalmist writes, “I would have lost heart unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living” (Psalm 27:13). All roads lead back to what we believe about God and His sovereignty in our lives. He directs our path. Our personal biblical knowledge of Him is what guides us through hard times. Those who trust in the Lord will be as strong and stable as a mountain, regardless of the storms. Devotion to practicing spiritual disciplines such as daily Scripture reading, prayer, gathering with the family of Christ, and even fasting is essential to maintaining spiritual stability when our feet are placed on hazardous paths.
Speaking of paths—I have bad feet. I often joke with my foot doctor about the possibility of foot transplants! I think about how a horse’s hooves are protected by metal shoes nailed to the bottom, keeping them safe from hidden dangers. When the horse goes out on the trail and encounters unseen broken glass or sharp rocks, it doesn’t feel the effects because its feet are shod.
Scripture says, “Shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace,” which makes us fit for marching and fighting through any hazards. The gospel is the only way we can fulfill God’s mission here on this corruptible earth as we engage in everything with the understanding that an unseen force is at work. “Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us” (Psalm 62:8).
So when life veers out of control and you are at a loss on how to process what you are seeing before you, remember that no patience is so hard as that which endures seeing what is unseen and waiting with hope. His invisible hand is upon our lives. We will only understand and live out this principle when we embrace the truths in His Word. Hebrews 11 tells us, “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen,” and I add that faith sees more than unbelief because it operates on an entirely different dimension. During the darkest days of the Civil War, President Lincoln said, “If it were not for my firm belief in an overruling Providence, it would be difficult for me, in the midst of such complications of affairs, to keep my reason on its seat. But I am confident that the Almighty has His plans, and will work them out, and whether we see it or not, they will be the best for us.“
