3 Reasons I’m Glad I’m Blind

“You’re glad you’re blind?” you ask.

“Yes, I am.”

I couldn’t always say that. In fact, some who remember when I was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa at 19, many years ago, recall my reaction of “Why Not Me?”

The Bible says it rains on the just and the unjust, so why should I be exempt. The way I saw it, Jesus suffered way worse for me. I figured He could help me through anything. He even has the power to heal me on earth or by going to heaven. Besides, we all live with something.

So often I am forced to stifle giggles when meeting people. My ears are met with, “Sorry you are blind.” My heart then fills with empathy, realizing their unawareness of how they’re fighting diabetes.

They might have:

• severe arthritis limiting their mobility as well, but have pain I don’t
• scars inside from childhood abuse causing insecurity and emotional turmoil
• bad marriages
• battle an addiction
• suffered the loss of a child

Not suffering from any of the above, I empathize with them, the way they do for me. Ironic, huh?

I am Blessed

Not many can say they grew up with happily married parents, who weren’t previously married or hadn’t lived together. I was blessed to be raised in church and managed to avoid ear aches my entire life.

Don’t you consider that a blessing?

I also:

• found learning at school rather easy
• was honored to be placed in leadership positions during my teen years
• was surrounded by support in every aspect of my life
• was blessed with a good memory needed for vision loss
• developed an ability to problem solve rather easily

Although my heart’s desire was to marry, and I envied others doing so during college, God blessed me with a godly, hard-working man that treats me like a queen, even if much later than I had wanted.

Would you complain about being blind if treated that way?

He loves to travel and isn’t afraid to take me anywhere. He not only listens to my ideas but does everything he can to make my dreams come true.

I won’t lie.

There are challenges when living with a progressive eye disease, but truthfully, for me it has been more of an inconvenience than a handicap. Sight loss has been more beneficial than what it has stolen.

Here are 3 Reasons I’m Glad I’m Blind

1. It conditioned me to grow accustomed to change.

• Other than breathing, dying, and paying taxes until the cows come home, change is the only thing we can be certain of . . . and it causes stress.
• It sure has been a major part of my life. Many times, my vision would change, I’d adjust, and within six months it changed again. Over and over.
• This repetitive practice, which brought tears of joy when stabilizing for a year or more, allowed me to minister to others seeking solutions and stress reduction.

2. Not being distracted helps in several ways:

• I covet others’ possessions much less than when sighted.
• I have less yearning to dress like my peers since I’m unaware of what they wear.
• I spend less money without items on shelves calling my name, asking me to buy them . . . right now.
• I listen to people’s hearts more and judge them less, as the tattoos and piercings are invisible to me. Can’t see color of skin or height and weight either.
• Finer clothes, jewelry, cars, or homes impress me little so I’m more apt to treat people equally.

3. I’ve learned to rely on others in a way I wouldn’t have if sighted.

Independence had always been my middle name, then I was forced to rely on others. Sounds bad at first, but I quickly learned there are some positives.

Relying on others taught me:

• to communicate better – words are the means of instruction and must be understood.
• to work together with others, making me a team player.
• to rely on God over myself, which is best learned sooner than later.
• to get me out of my comfort zone, allowing me to preach, teach, and speak in front of adults.
• we all need each other

Ask the Lord what you need to become blind to in your life. Everyone can become aware of what they are blinded to and work on becoming blind to what separates them from their Lord and Savior.

An easy trick can assist in becoming blind to the wrong things occupying your current field of vision.

The trick?

The trick is knowing what to focus on instead of what you are looking at.

It’s easy to be blind to the wrong thing when you know what to focus on.

I created a Renewing Your Mind Checklist for you to stick on your refrigerator. It’s my way of saying “Thank You” to my blog subscribers. These words and phrases are helpful to commit to memory. Just fill out your information below to get your free copy, then watch your email inbox, and START FOCUSING on the right things today!

If you want to see the results of someone focusing on God’s Truths, feel free to pick up the inspirational story, “From Mishaps to Mission,” where my husband was able to focus on doing the right things, regardless of everything falling apart around him. CLICK HERE.

© 2023, Jena Fellers. All rights reserved.