Many optometrists do not recognize when someone needs vision therapy. In fact, a person with vision problems often passes an eye exam. This happened with my son, and we did not realize it until one of his teachers suggested we check into vision therapy.
Elements of Vision Therapy
Before a patient begins vision therapy, an eye therapist does an assessment. Then, a doctor specializing in vision-related problems reviews and interprets the results, creating a treatment plan with goals and expectations. Next, patients attend in-office therapy as well as complete tasks at home.
This process works well for our spiritual lives too. It can correct and prevent vision-related spiritual problems like doublemindedness, lack of or wrong focus, and absence of alertness that can plague our spiritual lives. Determining whether you need vision therapy is necessary for determining how to integrate the necessary elements for correction.
Elements of Spiritual Vision Therapy
- The basics serve as a vision evaluation for our spiritual lives. They include regular fellowship, daily Bible study, and prayer. These create the core of our spiritual health. Stopping regular practice of any of these habits leads to blurred spiritual vision and even blindness. (Colossians 4:2-3; Acts 2:42)
- Consultation with a seasoned saint provides the insightful observations to help adjust spiritual progress. In addition, regular accountability keeps our blind spots from creating havoc. Talking out problems is often all that’s needed to find a solution. (Galatians 6:1, 2)
- Expert advice comes through a variety of sources. Some struggles need the experienced vision of a pastor or Christian counselor. Regularly reading Christian books also provides preventative as well as problem-specific advice.
- Practice involves not just reading or hearing scripture but also practicing what God plants inside you. (Mark 16:15)
- Continual reassessment helps see The Danger of a Routine Prayer Life. Every area of life benefits from regular assessment. Check with the Holy Spirit daily in prayer and make a point perform regular personal assessments.
One final connection between vision therapy for the eyes and spiritual vision therapy lies with the power of choice. You must decide whether or not to participate in the recommended therapy. The eye doctor makes the vision therapy plan clear, just like God makes the plan of action clear for preventing spiritual vision problems. Both require commitment and follow through for vision to improve.
Loren Pinilis
I think spiritual vision therapy is really the pursuit of a lifetime. I think I'm constantly learning more and more about how I view things incorrectly. And I'm sure that will be our condition as long as we're on this earth. But I'm so thankful that God is merciful enough to show me the error of my ways.
Kari Scare
Totally agree. We are studying 1 Thess. in our adult class, and this Sunday's lesson is on Sancitfied Living. We are going to get into being perfect as He is perfect and on how sanctification in progressive. Fits right in with your point. Love it when God ties different aspects of life together that way.
Do You Need Vision Therapy? – Struggle to Victory
[…] My son needed vision therapy to correct his vision-related learning problems. Vision-related spiritual problems require vision therapy too, and that requires knowing the Essential Elements of Vision Therapy. […]