Jimbo's Jots

How is your sight? I’m often working with people who struggle with anxiety. We often talk about their sight vision. Here’s what I mean . . .

Some people have backward vision. As they are working through their anxiety and worry, they look at their history. Sometimes, I will go there with them. I want to see how they have managed their anxious thoughts that have worked or what has not worked for them. Sometimes, they get stuck there too. They have a hard time moving beyond their history.

Some have an inward vision. They look for answers based on their own strengths. To a certain level, this can be beneficial. Often, I want them to see what is good about who they are. What are their strengths? When did they accomplish something that they felt pride in? So I want to know what principles or thoughts that they found helpful.

Still others have outward vision. They have confidants and family they are comfortable to confide in to help resolve an issue they are struggling with. This can be beneficial as they can find someone who has poured into them and can offer insight. The wisdom and life lessons learned, especially from a mentor type person, can be tremendously beneficial.

A fourth type of vision some have is forward vision. While looking to the future and establishing life goals are helpful to creating a sense of accomplishment along the way of someone’s life. The opposite thought process could be just a detrimental. When they “chase the rabbits” of the “what ifs”, it could lead to spiraling thoughts and excessive worry when the answers have not been revealed.

There is one more vision which is downward vision. This happens when the person focuses on their feet. What it creates is a feeling of being stuck. I cannot see any answers because I only look at where I’m at currently. They essentially freeze. This could be beneficial to a certain extent as it allows the person to slow their thoughts down a bit. Eventually, we want them to raise their head to change their vision to look at a bigger picture.

I just said that downward vision was the last one. There is one more that we typically do not think about. It reminds me of the story in the Bible involving the prophet Elisha. Elisha, with God telling him, would ward the king of Israel that Israel’s enemies (the army of Aram) were waiting at this spot, preparing to attack. So Israel would go around where the enemy was. Word finally got back to the king of the enemy about what Elisha was doing. So he sent his army to surround Elisha’s house. When Elisha’s servant came out in the morning, he saw the enemy army there. Running to get Elisha, he was frightened and worried. Elisha calmed his servant and prayed this prayer:

“Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them. And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” (2 Kings 6:16-17, NIV)

The servant needed upward vision. They need to see and know that God is with them, providing the protection and care they missed using their own vision.

Sometimes, I will invite the client to have an upward vision. They need to see God at work in their life. They need to know that as they go to God to open their heart and sight to help them through the anxiety and worry they are feeling that God has promised to be with them.

It’s possible you might need this reminder as well. Maybe a prayer like, “Open my eyes, Lord, that I may see you” is what needs to be said. By the way, when God opened the eyes of the servant, he saw the army of the Lord surrounding the army of the enemy. He can do the same for you!

Be blessed! Be a blessing to others!!