The Blind Leading the Blind

"The Blind Leading The Blind", Pieter Bruegel the Elder 1564

I absolutely love religious art...especially the old.  It is always so rich with meaning.  This picture definitely spoke to me.


When we allow our emotions; fear, anger, anxiety, worry, shame, doubt and pity to have authority in our lives, we are like the blind leading the blind.   We look to others for direction, we are in confusion, we are indecisive, we become weary and weak.  We feel like we are overwhelmed every day.  We are reactionaries who simply react all day to others' emotions, opinions, actions.   We allow them to dominate us and paralyze us.  We can be weighed down all day over a critical comment, a negative mood, something we heard or saw on TV or the radio, someone's  problems or their dissatisfaction.  We can be an emotional sponge...soaking up everything we come in contact with on a daily basis.  Living by emotion alone is hell.  It has the ability to throw you into darkness and blindness every day regardless of how much you pray.  It's exhausting and draining and even our prayer can become one more occasion of distress.  Emotions can be oppressive.

 op·pressed, op·press·ing, op·press·es

1. To keep down by severe and unjust use of force or authority

 2. To weigh heavily on

3.  To overwhelm or crush

Unfortunately, when you're in the midst of a trial, disordered emotions can drive you right into panic and despair.  It's difficult to get out from under the heap.  You tend to get in a downward spiral that you can't free yourself from.  It is virtually impossible to discern right from wrong in the midst of the chaos in your head.  Disordered emotions are also excellent material for the devil to work with.  They are so pliable and easily manipulated. You could almost liken it to being drunk.  Your sensibilities are compromised, your reflexes and instincts are distorted, your vision is cloudy and your judgment is impaired. Your defenses are down and you're liable to listen to any voice in the darkness if it promises an answer to your trial.

Your minds, then, must be sober and ready for action; put all your hope in the grace brought to you by the revelation of Jesus Christ.   1 Peter:1:13

 I believe it is very important right now to be "sober."  You do not want to be blinded by your emotions in the midst of the storm.  You also will not want to be following others that are blinded.  Have you ever heard of drunk drivers who, in their drunkenness, simply follow the tail lights of the car in front of them...even over a cliff?  They are not in control of their faculties, therefore must trust any lights they can find in the darkness to lead them.  Even ones that lead to death. 

What has been impressed deeply upon me in prayer is the need to do what is necessary to become sober.  It should be a priority in prayer, especially.  Most people are reluctant to pray for healing for themselves thinking it selfish. Most people are reluctant to admit they have a need of healing from God.  Would it be prideful to humble ourselves in front of our Father and confess to him our need of healing?  We look around at family members, friends, co-workers and see their need for conversion and healing and bring that to God.  Wouldn't it be humility to admit our own need?  Years ago during prayer I heard "physician, heal thyself!"  This definitely caused me to pause and discern what God what saying.   After thinking about it, most of our prayer intentions for others are based on our own need.  "Lord, convert this person!!"  Honestly, it's most often to relieve our own stress....once they are converted we can stop obsessing and worrying about their behavior. Once they are converted, our guilt will be relieved.  Once they are converted, we can move on.  Once they are converted, we can forgive.  Once they are converted, what?  You can fill it in.  The point is, many of us are still in great need of "conversion" ourselves.  Our hearts are still full of fear, doubt and shame... we still need healing and conversion!  We may still be on the fence.  We may be of two minds.  We may be in the ship being thrown about by the storm of emotions. We may not trust God with our own lives completely. What sort of example is that to those we are praying for?  "Physician, heal thyself!"

What has been shared with me in prayer is that God desires our healing.  He needs strong, level headed, sober leaders. Not just for ourselves, for others. Our healing will mean life for others!  Our hearts are in the right place...praying for others. This is wonderful!  However, He doesn't just want us to pray for conversions.  He wants us, by our strong example, to lead these people to him.  Too often, we get in the boat of other people's turmoil and allow it to pull us away from shore, into darkness.  Two people in a storm ravaged boat in the dark doesn't do either of you any good.  To be a strong voice and light, leading and directing them safely from shore would be more desirable and beneficial for all.  This is what God is asking for.  That you be on a firm foundation emotionally and spiritually.  You who will listen and respond to his request.  Our prayer and work for His kingdom is so much more effective if we are on a solid foundation. 

A very strong faith is needed right now. There are a lot of storm ravaged boats out in the darkness that need to be safely led to shore!  If you have any time free at all, do not waste it!  Fill your lamps, pray for healing for yourself that you may lead others to Christ.  Be childlike and trust that He will heal you and make you strong, for His glory. Trust that he desires to heal you!