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When life seems uncertain, we need confidence and clarity in our faith. But it’s often in these moments that things seem murky. Difficult times wear us out spiritually, mentally and physically. The rejuvenating feeling of sitting with the Father in our quiet time leaves us dizzy in the confusing spaces of our minds, struggling to focus on our prayers and the Word of God. Seeing with the eyes of faith during difficult times requires us to continue to go through the motions and repeat the truths we know and the work God has already done in our lives. For God promises that when we seek Him with all our heart, we will find Him. Even when we are tired. Even when it’s hard. Even if it’s not the same feeling as in the easier seasons of life.
In the first book of CS Lewis’ space trilogy, Out of the Silent Planet, Dr. Ransom is surprised to learn that there are beings on Malacandra that he cannot see. Or rather, he doesn’t yet have the ability to see. Ransom finds himself on a new planet and soon learns that his assumptions were wrong. The beings are not terrifying, bloodthirsty monsters but living creatures with unique values and skills. Hearing about spiritual beings called eldila, he asks his friend Hyoi why he can’t see them. As Hyoi tells him, “But eldilas are hard to see. They’re not like us. Light passes through them. You have to look in the right place and at the right time; and that probably won’t happen unless the eldil want to be seen” (Scribner, 1938, p. 77). Only when Ransom believes in these beings and knows what to look for can he distinguish their presence from the movement of light on the ground.
We can also suffer from spiritual myopia. With our eyes closed in fear and unbelief, we fail to recognize the work of the Lord around us. We only focus on the situation that is causing us difficulty. Yet the Scriptures help us remedy our short-sightedness by strengthening our faith. We read stories about Elisha or the blind man who received his sight, and we are encouraged to trust in God even when the situations around us seem desperate or difficult. As we study these events in the Bible, we come away with a heightened sense of God’s presence and work in our lives.
Seeing with the eyes of faith means trusting that God is present, active, and fighting for you even when circumstances make that difficult to recognize. This article explores how Scripture trains believers to move beyond fear and spiritual myopia and to embrace a firmer trust in God whose work is sometimes invisible.
What does it mean to see with the eyes of faith?
Seeing with the eyes of faith means trusting God’s presence and promises even when you cannot physically see what He is doing. This is not denial or wishful thinking. This is the kind of spiritual vision that believes God is at work beyond what fear, uncertainty, or appearances suggest.
How does the biblical account of the prophet Elisha show us that God fights for us?
Like Elijah and many other prophets before and after him, Elisha faced threats from people who did not appreciate his role. The king of Aram (i.e. Syria) became suspicious of his men, thinking that one of them was serving as a spy for Israel. But they told him that the only reason he failed in his attacks was because Elisha knew of his plans. As they said: “Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, reports to the king of Israel the same words that you speak in your room” (2 Kings 6:12NIV). The Aramean king therefore decided to capture Elisha.
The soldiers surrounded the prophet in Dothan. His servant, seeing the large number of men and their chariots, was frightened. He asked Elisha what they would do: surely the two of them could not resist an entire army! But the man of God was calm and affirmed that there was more on their side than the number of enemies (2 Kings 6:16-17). What he was essentially saying was, “Have faith, God is on our side. » And then Elisha prayed, not for himself, but for the servant: “Open his eyes, Lord, that he may see” (2 Kings 6:17NIV). It was then that the servant saw, with eyes of faith, the flaming chariots of God’s angelic army surrounding them. There was no reason to be afraid. Unlike the servant, the soldiers were struck blind, although their vision was restored through Elisha’s prayer. Through Elisha, the Lord led the army into Samaria and peacefully ended the Aramean attacks (2 Kings 6:18-23). The great Lord was the One who protected and provided for his people; all they had to do was trust him.
This passage captures the theme of Hebrews 11:1which describes faith as “confidence in what we hope for and assurance in what we do not see” (NIV). Throughout the Bible we see the Lord encouraging people to trust Him, even if they don’t know the outcome. Abraham trusted God by following His commandments to go into an unknown land (Hebrews 11:8). Before entering into battle to take possession of the Promised Land, Joshua was ordered to find courage in the Lord who preceded them (Joshua 1:9). Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah believed that God would fight for them––and He did it (2 Chronicles 20:15). They needed faith, a confidence that trusts without seeing, for them to believe that God would fight for them and surround them with his angelic army (Psalm 34:7).
What does Jesus teach about spiritual blindness and sight?
Upon noticing a man born blind, the disciples were filled with questions. Had the man sinned, or his parents? It is certain that someone acted wickedly, which led to blindness. However, Jesus quickly corrected their erroneous assumptions. As He said to them, “It was not because of his sins or the sins of his parents,” Jesus answered. “This happened so that the power of God might be seen in him” (John 9:3NLT). God planned to use this man’s infirmity for His glory. As in 2 Kings 6sight played an important role in John’s account of the healing of a man born blind. Not just physical sight, but also the spiritual ability to recognize the work of the Lord. Once the man was healed by Christ, he testified to the truth that he was blind but could now see. Yet the Pharisees continued to question him. They had proof from the man and his parents that he had been born blind and was now miraculously healed, but they refused to believe.
Unlike the Pharisees, who remained unbelieving despite clear facts, the man believed in Jesus and worshiped him (John 9:35-38). He was blessed because not only did he receive his sight, but he was also spiritually able to notice and believe the works of Christ. The Lord compared the man’s faith-filled sight with the supposed sight of the Pharisees: “I have entered into this world to pass judgment, to give sight to the blind, and to show those who think they see that they are blind” (John 9:39NLT). Religious leaders suffered spiritual blindness since they claimed to have knowledge but did not notice the Divine Wisdom before them. They accomplished what Christ had mentioned earlier, namely people who hear but fail to understand and see but fail to see (Matthew 13:13-15).
May we all develop eyes to see the work of the Lord and a willingness to offer our lives as a means of manifesting His goodness. Whatever difficulties or suffering we experience, our God can use them to glorify Himself. In turn, we become strong when we are weak through the work of Christ in us (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).
How can you develop a look of faith?
Faith is not simply a blind leap into darkness; it’s a solid trust in the person of the Lord. Elisha knew that the angelic host was around him because he trusted that God would protect him. Likewise, the man born blind who received his sight trusted in Jesus, believing that He was the Son of Man who healed people of their infirmities. We truly “see” when we believe. Charles Spurgeon described this reality eloquently in his sermon “Eyes Open” in 1908. As he said: “There is a proverb that says, ‘Seeing is believing,’ but this is not true, for there are many things which we see, which, if we are sensible people, we would not believe, for our eyes are indeed very liable to be deceived, and optical illusions are very common.” say, “Believing is seeing,” you will often find that it comes true.
We often assume the opposite, believing that we must see with our eyes before accepting anything as reality. In many ways, God gives us physical evidence of His loving presence: we have the earth and everything in it to bear witness to His goodness. Our Lord also willingly held out His nail-scarred hands and showed His side to Thomas to show that He had indeed been physically resurrected (John 20:27). But faith consists of believing, and therefore truly seeing. As Saint Anselm wrote: “For I do not seek to understand in order to believe, but I believe in order to understand. »
Spiritual vision involves developing strong trust in the Lord. We firmly believe that God fights for us even when we cannot see Him, because His Word affirms this to be true. Seeing with the eyes of faith requires grasping the promises of Scripture, which provide anchors when we feel disconnected from life. The more we study the Bible, the more confidence we will have in the character of our Lord. There are times when God’s power and glory are evident through unlikely sources. Other times, however, the Lord’s work is invisible. Whether our God’s actions are obvious or not, we can pray, as Elisha did for his servant, to develop spiritual vision—to see with the eyes of faith. Then, when we encounter apparent silence from our Savior, we can be assured that He is at work fighting for us, even if we cannot physically perceive Him. As Moses said, “The Lord will fight for you; just keep quiet” (Exodus 14:14NIV).
How can you practice the eyes of faith this week?
Practicing the eyes of faith often begins with slowing down long enough to remember what God has already said. Choose a promise from Scripture to return to when fear mounts. Pray honest ment for the situation that seems most threatening to you and ask the Lord to help you notice His presence rather than just your problems. Spiritual insight grows as we bring our attention back to God’s character, not just our circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions About Spiritual Blindness and Spiritual Sight
- What does it mean to see with the eyes of faith?
Seeing with the eyes of faith means trusting the presence, promises, and work of God even when you cannot physically see what He is doing. - How can you believe that God fights for you?
You trust that God is fighting for you by holding to what the Scriptures say about His character and care, even when circumstances seem uncertain or threatening. - What does the story of Elisha teach about spiritual sight?
The story of Elisha shows that God’s protection and power can be present even when human eyes cannot yet perceive it. His servant needed faith-filled vision to see that they were not alone. - Why is spiritual blindness dangerous?
Spiritual blindness prevents people from recognizing God’s work, even when the proof is before their eyes. The article contrasts this blindness with the faith-filled vision of the man healed by Jesus in John 9.
To go further
- What does it mean to walk by faith and not by sight?
- Will the Lord fight for us if we are still?
- What is faith in What is God really like?
- What does the Bible say about guardian angels?
- How can we trust God when we feel distressed?
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