DCRobertsson

“Open my eyes, that I may behold wonderful things from Your law.” (Psalm 119:18)

Sometimes suffering sharpens our vision in ways that comfort never could. When life is smooth, we often look at the surface of things. We notice what’s convenient, what’s pleasant, and what’s immediately rewarding. But when trouble comes, the shallow things fade, and our eyes begin to search for what’s real, lasting, and eternal.

Paul described this shift when he wrote, “We look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen” (2 Corinthians 4:18). Affliction has a way of pushing our gaze beyond the temporary—helping us see that this life is not all there is. The hard places press us to look for God’s hand, to notice His providence in details we might have overlooked, and to cling to His promises as lifelines.

Suffering can also open our eyes to the needs of others. Those who have walked through pain often see it more quickly in someone else. What once went unnoticed now stirs compassion. And that compassion becomes a way God’s love flows through us to others.

The psalmist’s prayer, “Open my eyes,” is one we can carry into our own struggles. Not simply, “Take this away,” but, “Show me what I could only see here, in this valley.” God’s work is often hidden at first, but suffering can make us more attentive to His presence and His purposes.

Cross-References

• 2 Kings 6:17 – Elisha’s servant’s eyes opened to see God’s protection.
• Romans 8:18 – Present sufferings are not worth comparing with future glory.
• Philippians 3:8 – The surpassing value of knowing Christ.

Questions for Reflection

• How has suffering shifted your focus from temporary things to eternal ones?
• In what ways has hardship helped you notice God’s hand in daily life?
• Who around you might need your “opened eyes” to see their struggle and offer compassion?

Prayer Prompt

Lord, open my eyes to see what You are doing in the midst of this trial. Lift my gaze beyond the temporary to the eternal, and help me see others with the compassion You’ve shown me.

This devotional is adapted from An Uninvited Visitor: The Suffering We All Face and God’s Grace In It by D.C. Robertsson. Available on Amazon: amazon.com/dp/B0FMPKM7ZF