Eyesores

Pure ugliness. That's what eyesores bring out in the believer. As soon as we lay our eyes on a trigger, negativity can fill our minds, bodies, and spirits. 

The eyesore might be seeing someone working a job you wanted and needed. 

It could be viewing a declining balance on an online bank account statement. 

Possibly, it could even be seeing a former friend spend time with someone besides yourself. 

Maybe the eyesore is an article in the newspaper about a controversial topic.

No matter what your eyesore may resemble, that visual cue to start worrying, feeling disappointment, and doubting God's goodness can become a very ugly and bad habit-- a negative addition to our lives that Christ does not intend for us to have!

I have recently taken note of some eyesores forming in my life. At first, I struggled to fight those negative feelings. I still do have difficulty stopping the thoughts at times. Nevertheless, the more I have practiced placing a "stop sign" in my mind and choosing to believe God's words as I push forward, the easier and more rewarding it has become. Fighting eyesores brings peace, contentment, and comfort, which are feelings I think all of us would like to have.

Christ offers His people the opportunity to place all of their worries, fears, resentments, and negativity in His hands. We can choose to believe the lies Satan tells us when we see those eyesores, but we can also make a conscious effort to replace those faulty thoughts with Christ's truth. Eyesores are an opportunity to lean on Jesus and to realize how comforting His words and His presence can be in our lives.

In 1 Peter 5:7, we are told: "Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." 

The next time your eyesore triggers a worry, cast all of those fears on Him.

In John 10:10, we are told: "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."

The next time Satan places an eyesore to be a thief of joy and contentment, take note that Christ wants us to have life to the full.

In Matthew 7:7-8, we are told: "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks, the door will be opened."

The next time an eyesore leads you to feel resentment or disappointment in someone, do not be afraid to ask Christ for strength to help you forgive and move forward. He is always there for you and provides everything you need to have a new door opened.

Christ provides us with a different lens for viewing eyesores. I challenge myself and my readers to keep an eye out for eyesores in our lives in order to develop a positive outlook through Christ. He will bring light and color to a dark and dull view on life, if we choose to accept His goodness!