Distraction of Distortion

I love puzzles. As a young girl, we would hike over a mile to our mailbox, racing to see if the Highlights magazine had arrived. I’d tear open the pages and dive straight into the Hidden Picture page. As I grew older, Games magazine’s eyeball benders and rebus puzzles replaced Highlights. But visual illusions, Escher drawings, pictures that challenged my perception fascinated me—steps seemed to climb and descend simultaneously, identical lines tricked my eyes into seeing different lengths, and images transformed into completely different objects depending on how I looked at them.

As a counselor, I discovered these images sparked interesting conversations on conflict resolution. I’d begin the lesson with a visual illusion and challenge the students to describe what they saw. Their responses varied dramatically depending on their perspective. Some students grasped both sides of the illusion instantly, while others insisted that only one explanation could exist. This launched us into discussions about how perceptions shape our communication and can lead to conflicts.

Then it struck me: the same principle attacks our self-perception. I began using these images with students who struggled with confidence issues. We examined how the picture deceived the eye into perceiving different line lengths. I helped them identify and address internal and external messages that distorted the truth about themselves. This led to creating positive messages and changing their mindset to counter the negative thoughts that threatened their self-assurance.

I can be guilty of feeding on my internal messages of fear, insecurity, doubt, comparison, and unworthiness. Am I the only one? When this happens, it helps to counteract the negative thoughts with God’s word, which demolishes messages that can distort and derail me from my purpose. Paul commands us in Philippians 4:8-9:

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Other helpful scriptures are listed after the prayer.

Dear Lord, help me to focus on the truth of Your Word when doubt and despair attack my thoughts. Remind me I am never alone, and when harmful messages distort my reality, flood me with Your peace. Amen.

Fear — “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)

Insecurity — “I cling to you; your strong right hand holds me securely.” (Psalm 63:8)

Doubt — “No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:39)

Comparison — “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10)

Unworthiness — “O LORD, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, LORD. You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand!” (Psalm 139:1-6)