Tunnel Vision
There must be light at the end of the tunnel! The longer one goes through situations that are painful and heartbreaking, the darker life seems to be. The statement, “Hope is God” is not just a catch phrase, but is a reality for those who have come out on the other side of deep despair.
In marriages, although a couple may love each dearly, they can often cause each other great pain. Pain that doesn’t go away overnight, but sometimes festers and grows into deep-seated bitterness. Why does this happen? This happens because of a difference in ideologies about the simple, sensitive things and complicated matters that affect human relationships.
We can learn from those who seem as though they are making marriage work. If they are asked the tough questions and are willing to be transparent, they will let you know the truth about the ups and downs of their union. For example, some women have found out the hard way that their husbands don’t want to be rescued or protected by them. "Caring" may cross borders. A man’s ego will not allow it sometimes even for the simplest thing, even when it makes obvious sense to the wife that thought some form of assistance was needed.
Love, insight and patience are needed to expand the marital scope of understanding. Reaching that place of understanding is a challenging journey. It is like two trains traveling on different tracks going to different destinations; however, they are capable of utilizing the same tracks but on different schedules. Is this the paradox of Ecclesiastes chapter 3, the polar opposite observation to emotions and natural response to living?
A miniscule adjustment of our timing may bring us into the current season with those we cherish. The point is, we don’t always arrive at the same place of enlightenment on a particular element in our relationship at the same time as those around us. It is one of the hardest things to convince someone to see something your way.
1 Corinthians 13:12 (The Message Bible) states, “We don’t yet see things clearly. We’re squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won’t be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We’ll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us!". Here, in the word of God, is an illustration of us being blinded by our tunnel vision because of sin; we can’t see what God has for us and how we can obtain eternal blessings.
How can we see eye to eye in any relationship? This can only be done where true love and mutual respect exists. A true heart filled with the purest intention for peace is needed in the equation by all those involved in any kind of meaningful relationship, friendship or fellowship.
Take a moment to see things through my eyes, as I whole heartedly attempt to see your vision. There is light at the end of the tunnel and with God’s help the light will shine through.
