Divine Eye Contact

How beautiful it is when the whole family gathers around the dinner table. Whether it’s Christmas or just a regular Sunday lunch, such gatherings promise fellowship, lively conversation, and laughter. But a careless word is enough to ruin the mood. Suddenly, the smiles that were there just moments ago are replaced with stone-faced expressions, and everyone stares straight ahead. No secret smile, no playful wink, no eye contact. Have you ever experienced situations like this? When a wrong word hurts you so much that it takes all your self-control not to explode? Or when the hurt is so deep that you do? In those moments, the divine peace that may have filled you just minutes before seems so far away.

In the story of Cain and Abel, Cain is so angry with his brother that he avoids any eye contact with God. God speaks to Cain and warns him that sin is lurking at his door, but that he should rule over it (cf. Genesis 4:7). This command is also directed at you and me when we are overwhelmed by our emotions. To rule over sin means to break its power over us. How? By fixing your eyes on God. When you turn to Him, He helps you. God can handle your emotions. You can unload all your anger, hurt, and sorrow onto Him and let Him comfort you.

As long as you continue to hold onto the wrong words spoken by the other, you are the one carrying the weight. God makes it very clear that He won’t free you from your anger, bitterness, or perceived distance from the other unless you are willing to forgive them for the wrong words they’ve spoken. Your “yes” is enough, and God will grant you inner peace. He will walk with you through the next steps until you can look the other person in the eye again.

It’s a process to maintain eye contact with God. But when we succeed, we learn how to stop holding onto others' wrongs and forgive more quickly. We let go of a burden whose weight we only realize when we no longer have to carry it. Just one glance. But it changes everything.

Next Step: Do you know situations where you tend to spiral downward? Ask God to show you what helps you keep eye contact with Him.