Seeing Beyond the Storm: Fixing Our Eyes on the Lord

Have you ever wondered why the number of people suffering from depression and anxiety has increased in recent years? All we need to do is turn on the news or scroll through social media to realize how deeply anxiety and despair are gripping our world. More and more people are overwhelmed by negative thoughts, discouragement, and hopelessness. As human beings, we naturally tend to focus on what’s wrong rather than what’s right. We see the glass as half empty more often than we notice that it is, in fact, half full.

Two people can face the same challenge, one walks through it with faith and hope, while the other falls into despair. Why? Because our perception shapes our experience. Our minds are powerful, but we are easily influenced by what we see instead of what we believe. It’s hard to see the glass half full when we look with our physical eyes instead of the eyes of faith. But here’s the truth: we are not called to live by sight; we are called to live by faith. “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” – 2 Corinthians 5:7

Renewing our minds is one of the most difficult but essential disciplines of the Christian life. Shifting our mindset from negative to faith-filled doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a lifelong process. Each day, we must choose how we will face what comes through the lens of defeat or the lens of God’s promises. Seeing the glass half full isn’t just about positive thinking; it’s about anchoring our hope in the One who holds everything together. It’s about fixing our eyes on the Lord instead of the storm, trusting He is working for our good, even when we can’t see it. As believers, we know God’s will is perfect, and His plans are far greater than anything we can imagine. Even in the darkest of valleys, He walks beside us. There is no magic formula to shift your mindset, but there is a decision to be made. The decision to lift your eyes from the problem and place them on the Savior. The decision to invite Jesus into your circumstance, to trust in His sovereign will, and to walk forward by faith.

Here are 10 powerful steps that can help guide your heart and mind in that direction:

1.  Fill Yourself with God’s Word- God’s Word is our anchor in every storm. The more you fill your mind with His truth, the less space there is for the enemy’s lies. His promises remind us that there is always hope, even when we can’t see it.

2.  Look for God’s Opportunities- Every trial carries obstacles and divine opportunities. Like Joshua and Caleb in Numbers 13, trust God’s power over your fear. See the giants but believe in God’s victory.

3.  Shift to God’s Perspective- Ask yourself: Is this thought grounded in fear or faith? Train your mind to see situations through God’s eyes. When we align our thinking with His truth, peace follows.

4.  Surround Yourself with Faith Builders- The people around you matter. Spend time with those who encourage your faith, speak life, and help lift your eyes toward God’s promises.

5.  Be Grateful in All Things- Gratitude shifts your focus from what’s missing to what’s already been given. A thankful heart sees blessings where others see burdens.

6.  Pray Without Ceasing- Prayer is the lifeline to peace and clarity. Pour your heart into the Lord and allow Him to fill your spirit with strength and calm.

7.  Count Blessings, Not Setbacks- Take inventory of God’s faithfulness in your life. When you recount His goodness, it fuels your faith for the future.

8.  Trust God’s Sovereignty- Surrender your expectations and embrace His will. What we can’t understand, we can still trust, because God sees the full picture.

9.  Choose Joy, Even in Trials- Joy isn’t dependent on circumstances; it’s a decision rooted in trust. Look for moments of joy and cling to them as reminders of His presence.

10.  Remember Christ’s Victory- Jesus has already overcome the world. “In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33. When we fix our eyes on Him, we remember we are never truly defeated.

If you’re in the middle of a storm, and all you can see is the glass half empty, lift your eyes to the One who can fill it to overflowing. Invite Jesus to take control. Surrender your fears. Ask Him to strengthen your faith. Choose, every day, to walk by faith, not by what you see. Hope is not a feeling, it’s a choice. Joy is not the absence of trials; it’s the presence of Christ, and peace is not found in perfection; it’s found in the Person of Jesus. So today, make the decision: Fix your eyes not on the problem, but on the Promise Keeper. The One who fills empty glasses, calms the storm, and walks with you, every step of the way.