Tunnel Vision

Good morning! I hope you had a great weekend.

During times of intense circumstance one of the natural reactions of the human body is a syndrome known as “tunnel vision.” During an instance of tunnel vision a person becomes focused in on a very narrow field of vision or object. During this time, peripheral vision becomes almost non-existent. Police officers are trained to be aware of tunnel vision during confrontations and emergency driving. A lack of peripheral vision in these circumstances could have deadly consequences.

Tunnel vision occurs in the day to day issues of physical and spiritual lives as well. We tend to get so focused in on the crisis of the moment that we miss the greater picture of what God is doing around us. The latest problem at work, problem relationship or problem at home becomes so all consuming that we miss seeing our life in a complete and total perspective. Choices made rashly during an episode of tunnel vision can become very costly in the days that follow.

So how do we deal with the tunnel vision we find occurring in our lives? The following passage of scripture may give us some guidance:

2 Kings 6:15-17 (NASB)
15 Now when the attendant of the man of God had risen early and gone out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was circling the city. And his servant said to him, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?”
16 So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
17 Then Elisha prayed and said, “O LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” And the LORD opened the servant’s eyes, and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

Elisha and his servant were encircled by an adversary out to cause them harm. Elisha could see the complete picture, but his servant could not. It was only after Elisha had prayed for the servant’s eyes to be open, that he could see the true circumstance around him. The first step any of us should take when we find that we cannot get our eyes off of a singular point or problem is to pray. Just as Elisha prayed, we need to ask God to open our eyes and let us see clearly and completely what is around us.

The second thing we need to do is force ourselves to look around. Police officers are taught to deal with tunnel vision by simply moving their eyes back and forth. This conscious sweeping of the eyes forces them to look beyond the tunnel, bringing the complete picture back into view. Elisha’s servant also looked around and found new strength in the defending army that had come to rescue him.

Today you may find yourself fixated on a problem, person or situation that is taking away your ability to see the complete picture of what God is doing in your life. Take time today and ask the Lord for open eyes and new sight. Look around you and see what else is going on in the complete picture.
Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl