Medicine For Our Myopia

God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. (2 Corinthians 9:8)

Medical textbooks define myopia as a condition which causes visual images to come into focus in front of the retina, resulting in defective vision of distant objects. In other words, myopia is an improper focus, which causes faraway objects to appear fuzzy or blurred, though we clearly see what is close to us. A recent study by the National Eye Institute found that the prevalence of myopia grew from 25% in 1971 to a whopping 41% of Americans aged 12–54 today.

Whether you are one of those affected by physical myopia, I do not know. But I do know that virtually 100% of Christians are affected by spiritual myopia more often than we would care to admit. Our improper focus makes the promises of God appear uncertain, while our present problems are crystal clear, which causes us to be overcome by doubt, fear, and despondency.

So what is the cure for this kind of myopia? Odd as it may sound, we will be restored to 20/20 spiritual vision when we remember that every problem we face actually proves the promises of God. Look at it this way: in today’s verse we read that God has promised to meet all of your needs. Any true problem that you are currently facing is a need that certainly must be met.

• Difficulties at work
• Loneliness in your singleness
• Troubles in your family life
• Too much month left at the end of the money

Not only does the problem prove the existence of God’s promises, but also His provisions too. The riches of His glory in Christ Jesus are limitless and available for all who call on His name. Every problem we face has a corresponding promise and provision that will meet us in our deepest place of need. The problem for the children of Israel wandering out in the desert was a lack of food and water. The problem proved the promise and provision of God, because God had promised to care for His people, and that meant He would give them food to eat and water to drink. So manna rained down from heaven and water sprang forth from a rock.

What problems are you facing today? God has promised to supply all that you need, and He will do it! As I wrote in the previous article, Scripture assures us that “No matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ” (2 Corinthians 1:20). And He promises time and again to meet us at our every point of need.

Remember that every problem, no matter how daunting, presupposes both the promise and provision of God. Tell Him what you are struggling with today. He cares for you. He wants to hear from you! Look past your problem to see the Prince of Peace, who has promised to do for you what you cannot do for yourself. Instead of heading to the optometrist’s office, let us come boldly to the Throne of Grace and let the Great Physician correct our myopia today.

This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!