20/20 vision is a term used to describe what is known as normal vision, or our ability to clearly see 9mm letters or numbers on a chart from 20 feet away. The first 20 represents 20 feet and the second 20 represents what a normal person can see from the distance of 20 feet. If your sight is 20/20 then you have normal vision. But did you know that most people who are moderately farsighted can actually pass a normal vision test? Because they are able to see things far away, recognizing objects at 20 feet away can be very doable.
Far Sighted
Definition
Farsightedness (also known as hyperopia) is different from nearsightedness in that you can see distant object clearly, but nearby objects are blurry and out of focus. Similar to nearsightedness it is also a condition in which light coming into the eye is not properly focus on the retina. However, it is usually caused by a shortening of the eyeball over time.
Farsighted people must strain to see things that are up close which cause eye strain, blurred vision, headaches, double vision, fatigue and increased farsightedness. Because of this they tend not to try to do up close work unless they have corrective lenses or undergo vision therapy.
As women it is common to fall susceptible to this kind of distorted vision. The light represents The Light of God’s Word. When it is not properly focused on our spiritual eyes it can be difficult for us to see things up close. There are two ways we see this play out in our lives.
First, just as the strain of seeing things from a close perspective causes great discomfort for a farsighted person and they tend to avoid it, spiritually farsighted people will avoid things that make us feel uncomfortable, stressed, or strained as well. I mean, who likes to feel pain? We would rather focus on our own distant grand vision of life, or our own personal perspective in all things rather than to see them from a different perspective. The spiritually farsighted are often called narrow minded because they usually focus solely on their own ideal vision of a certain thing that they cannot see how it affects the people and relationships around them (marriage, family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, happiness, success). When we are spiritually farsighted, we fail to see things from the other person’s perspective w. Others are always wrong, and we are always right, and we don’t understand why they can’t see their need for change when we can so clearly see how they need to change to fit into our far-reaching vision of the ideal life. What we see just makes more sense…right?
It has been scientifically proven that most people with ADD/ADHD are farsighted and they have a lot in common with regularly farsighted individuals. They both avoid close work like reading, writing and computer work due to an inability to focus. The farsighted because of visual discomfort and the those with ADD/ADHD due to visual discomfort and imbalances in the brain. Both have poor attention skills like looking around, fidgeting and talking with a neighbor.
Let’s be honest and admit that we often give up trying to understand the root cause of a problem, the other person’s perspective, or examine what we may be contributing to a conflict because we just can’t see it. We don’t understand and it gives us a head and a heart ache, so we look around at other people’s lives who seem to have greener grass. When God is dealing with our hearts about change, we fidget by picking up other things that are more interesting and more to our ideal. We talk with a neighbor, especially those who see things from our perspective and align themselves on “our side” of the situation. All these things pull us farther away from true happiness because that happiness is found in what we are avoiding, in what we can’t see. It requires us to work harder to make that happen. We would rather avoid it and protect our ego and grand thinking than to admit that in order to achieve what we really desire change must first take place in us.
Spiritually farsighted people are often seen as arrogant, prideful, selfish, conceited, egotistical, demanding, hard to please, and narcissistic. We can’t “see the forest for the trees” as the old adage says. And as another wise saying asserts, we often can’t see what’s staring us in the face. We hurt those closest to us because we can’t see that what we are doing is harmful. Often times it is not done on purpose. We truly think that our personal grand vision is what’s best for everyone, and we accidentally trample those around us in our quest to achieve it (the perfect marriage, the perfect career, the perfect children, the perfect life, etc.)
Just as normal 20/20 tests will not reveal moderate levels of farsightedness, spiritually farsighted people may think that their vision is just fine. Special tests and monitoring are required. Let us explore other points of view to test for farsightedness.
Do the people around us say things like:
Why does it always have to be your way?
That was a little harsh. You hurt my feelings.
Why do you have to be so mean?
You’re never satisfied, are you?
You’re never satisfied.
Do we lose friends easily because:
They just don’t understand me
They couldn’t take my straightforward personality
This is just the way I am (the way I was raised). They can take it or leave it!
Are you usually the Alpha in your relationships wanting to take charge and be the center of attention? Do you find that people eventually begin ignoring and avoiding you?
My Dear Sister, it is easy for us to have tunnel vision when it comes to the things that we think are best. Even with the best intentions we can sometimes miss cues and signs from the people and events around us that warn us of danger and reveal that our way is not working.
What’s the fix?
The solution to any problem is usually found within the problem. Instead of avoiding uncomfortable situations or topics isn’t it best to bring them before the Lord in prayer and begin dealing with them with the help of God? God’s Word is not silent on most of the things that we face in this life. The Bible teaches us:
To be wise
Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me… John 5:39-40
… he that winneth souls is wise. Proverbs 11:30.
… be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. Matthew 10:16
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him… James 1:5-6
be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: James 1:19
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. James 3:17
She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. Proverbs 31:26
To broaden our minds long enough to receive the counsel of others
Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! Isaiah 5:21
Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him. Proverbs 26:12
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding… Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil… Proverbs 3:5-8
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise. Proverbs 12:15
…in the multitude of counsellors there is safety. Proverbs11:14
Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end. There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand. Proverbs 19:20-21
The second way to see spiritual farsightedness can be found in these words, “Always a Dreamer.” We tend to have big dreams whose realization always lives somewhere in the future.
“Someday I’ll…”
"One day I’m going to…”
Because the future is so clear we see God’s plans for our lives coming together. We see those special projects being completed (book written, class taken, weight lost, etc.). However, because our present vision is out of focus, we can’t see up close and never take the short-term steps to achieve the goals. In fact, we make decisions that push the realization of our goals farther and farther away. We date the wrong men, have the wrong friends, spend too much money in the short run on the wrong things, pursue the wrong career, and we procrastinate, procrastinate, procrastinate.
We don’t understand why things don’t work out, or why people don’t take our goals and dreams seriously. This causes stress and depression and we become more and more introverted, distant, and closed off in resentment trying to protect ourselves from others but in truth we want the love and respect of others. This is the second way we cheat ourselves out of the fullness of God’s plan for our lives. We lead when we should follow, and we procrastinate when we should act.
God has a plan for your life:
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD… to give you an expected end. Jeremiah 29:11
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding…Proverbs 3:5-10
And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it…Isaiah 30:21
Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not. Jeremiah 33:3
Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Isaiah 41:10
When you don’t know how to get started
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God… and it shall be given him… But let him ask in faith…James 1:5-8
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. James 3:17
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. Philippians 4:6-7
When You’re tempted to procrastinate
… to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. James 4:17
I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. John 9:4
Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work… in the grave, whither thou goest. Ecclesiastes 9:10
Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. Joshua 1:9
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Philippians 4:13
We procrastinate because sometimes our dreams are so big that they sometimes give us anxiety. We really want to fulfill them, but we can’t see how God could really use “little old me” to fulfill them. One man once said, “If your dreams don’t scare you then they are not big enough!” The Bible is full of ordinary people doing extraordinary things. Let me remind you Sis, that you and God together are extraordinary!
Dear Sister, may I leave you with this thought? My eyes will not focus solely on my own thoughts, desires, and ways of doing things. I will ask God for the wisdom to see those closest to me with His eyes when my own are not working properly. I will not use my position of influence and power to trample others even when I think it is for their own good. I will do the uncomfortable work of seeing things from the perspective of others without judgement, pray for them, and ask God to lead me. As for the Big Dreams God has placed in my heart, I will surrender to His will and allow Him to lead me, no matter how large the task may seem. I will remember that if God calls me to it then He will equip me and give me the power necessary to do it. I will not seek the safety of procrastination but through prayer and God’s timing I will be bold for Christ when the time demands it.
Dear God, please help My Sister to truly believe and live out this statement even though her natural inclination may be the exact opposite. Thank you for transforming us by renewing our minds. You are The Potter and we are the clay. Make of us what You will. Please help My Sister to stop making choices that sabotage her relationships, and the purposes and plans that You have for her life. When she is tempted to procrastinate please help her to see the triggers that bring about fear, anxiety, and depression and let her attitude be like Christ who did not waiver at Your commands but did everything for Your glory and not His own. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Missed Part 1_Nearsightedness? Click here: https://www.phersonalrevival.com/post/20-20-vision
To see full scripture references for the scriptures used in this post please click here. https://www.phersonalrevival.com/p-her-sonal-promises
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