Yep. I said it. Reality bites. There was a movie back in the 1994 of the same name, maybe you’ve heard of it? The movie followed a group of disenfranchised friends and the challenges their career and lifestyle choices caused them. Their reality did indeed bite, but that is not a surprise.
God flat out told us we would have trouble in this life. A lot of our trouble is of our own making too. He also said if we follow Him, we will have even more difficulty. And better yet, He said if we get married that will bring even more issues to deal with. Wow. Reality does bite. But does it really?
Perspective Changes Reality
Reality is defined as the state of things as they actually exist, but here in lies the rub my friend. Each person really does have their own perception of reality. Our own minds help manufacture an artificial reality just for us. No. I’m not about to put on my tin foil hat and go off the deep end, but think about it.
Our own experiences come into play, and what we think is real, for us, is. Our own beliefs. Our own desires. Our hurts. Our hang ups. How we’ve been taught to see things. Our faith or lack thereof. All things and more influence our reality. Not to mention Satan constantly putting his own spin on things.
Which Lenses Do You Have On?
Do you own a pair of rose colored glasses? If so, you probably see everything as, well… Rosie. That’s not real reality though. Those lenses will keep you from facing and dealing with things that need to be dealt with. And we all know there is a lot in life that must be faced honestly and bravely. Grief for example.
Or maybe you are looking through some old scratched up sunglasses. Everything is dim and dull and downright unclear. That doesn’t give you a clear view either. You won’t be able to see the details in what is going on, those subtle nuances that matter so much. Our eyes need proper correction, and neither the sunglasses or rose colored glasses fit the bill.
I’d like to see myself and you in couple different pairs of eyewear. These glasses will be a big help to finding joy in your life and seeing things as they really are. And remember. I am no expert. I am just a fellow joy seeker with a few years of intense practice. I still put on my old glasses sometimes, but as soon as I realize what I have done, here are the glasses I reach for.
Slip On Some X-Ray Glasses
I know what you’re thinking. These things don’t work. Oh. But they do. These aren’t the old novelty glasses we may remember from our childhood. I’m talking about the real deal. These glasses that let you see through the facades and charades and manipulation. They will also let you see inside a person to what is driving them to behave they way they do. Understanding is a good thing!
When wearing X-ray glasses, you will see that the images presented to you in magazines and even on the screen for what they are or rather, what they aren’t. They smooth out skin, add hair, enlarge eyes, and more! They also make things seem too good to be true, and you will see right through that. That product won’t change your life. That celebrity doesn’t really live like that or look like that. You will see what you thought was reality isn’t. So, your reality will bite less. Yes!
And the people giving you a hard time, you will use your X-ray glasses to see the hurt they carry inside. Remember the saying, “Hurt people hurt people.” They are insecure. They have made mistakes. They have bad habits and hang ups that cause them to lash out, pull inward and withdraw, or manipulate others. They haven’t been taught to handle themselves well. And even more about them will be revealed. The longer you gaze and focus on the pain they carry inside, the less upset by what they do or don’t do you will be.
Put On Your God Goggles
The X-Ray glasses are good, but you know what is even better? God goggles! They will help you to see life through God’s eyes. We would have a whole different perspective on the good and the bad things that happen in our lives if we were able to see those experiences like God does. We aren’t God, and I am pretty sure the responsibility that comes with His job is way more than any of us would ever want, but… If we can start to see things like He does, we will have a much clearer and accurate view.
So how do we start to see things the way God does? Have you read His book? Yep. He wrote one. I have to be honest, one of the main reasons I read it through the first time was life wasn’t going as planned. Yep. My reality was biting big time. How could I be upset about the life I built if I never read the manual on how to put it together? But I digress.
When things aren’t going our way, these goggles will let us better see what God is doing in our lives or the lives of the people around us. Reality may still hurt, and often it does, but with your God goggles on, it’s more of a love bite. A love bite is a good thing. Really. I promise.
Have you ever nibbled on someone you love? Have you playfully nipped at anyone? There is actually some research that says that when we do that we are showing that person how much we love them. We are feeling that love so much we can’t contain ourselves! When God allows our reality to bite, it’s because He loves us.
Finding Joy: When you feel your reality biting, and biting down hard, stop and see which lenses you have on. Don’t put on your rose colored glasses and act like everything is amazing and perfect, because it isn’t. And take off those old scratched up sunglasses, so you can see things aren’t nearly as bad as they seem.
Remember to use your X-ray glasses to look past facades and help you understand where people are coming from. And wear your God goggles everyday, so you can see God is at work in your life and the lives of others. He is crafting the reality He wants you to see, and He is doing so for a reason… Because He loves us.
Related Scriptures:
Matthew 6:22 – “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light.
1 Corinthians 13:12 – For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
Ephesians 1:18 – I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people.
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