Here’s a test. You’ve heard of tongue-twisters . . . well here’s an eye-twister (which may be difficult for those whose primary language isn’t English). See if you can read the following:

“Aoccdrnig to rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn’t mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoetnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be at the rghit pclae. The rset can be a total mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deosn’t raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Amzanig huh?”

(Now I know why I am such a poor proof reader—especially of my own writing.)

The mind does a similar thing in other areas of life. That is, we see things not they way they are, but the way we are. For instance, if I am a negative person, I will see negative things in what others do—things that may not even be there—and be critical about them. If I am a supersensitive person, I will read into what others say or do and overreact—not on the basis of what they have said or done, but on the basis of who and what I am. On the other hand, if I am a loving person, I will overlook the petty faults in others and be accepting and forgiving of them, for love does “cover a multitude of sins.”

Indeed, what we see is who we are or who we are is what we will see.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, help me to be a loving person and, while not being blind to evil, help me not to be negative or supersensitive, but to overlook the petty faults of others. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. 1 Peter 4:8 (NASB).