Clear Eyes, Full Fears, Can't Lose?

In 2 Kings 6, there's a story where Elisha and his servant wake up to find their city surrounded by an enemy army. The servant panics, understandably. They're clearly outnumbered, and from his view, there's no way out.

But Elisha tells him not to be afraid. "Those who are with us are more than those who are with them." Then he prays for the servant's eyes to be opened, and suddenly, the servant sees a mountain full of horses and chariots of fire all around them.

Perception: It's Not Just a 20/20 Thing

What fascinates me here is the difference between what’s physically in front of them and what’s actually going on. One person sees danger. The other sees protection. The moment the servant's perception changes, nothing about the enemy changes—just his awareness of what else is present.

The story doesn’t say whether Elisha always saw this invisible army or if he simply believed it was there. But either way, the scene raises questions about how perception shapes reality. How much of what we experience is about what's literally in front of us versus what we're able—or willing—to see?

Who’s Blind Now?

Not long after that, Elisha blinds the enemy soldiers, leading them into Samaria where they’re captured but not harmed. They're fed and sent home. It's a surprisingly nonviolent ending. So in this same section, there's a kind of mirrored imagery: the servant sees more than he expected, and the soldiers see less. Sight and blindness trade places depending on whose perspective we’re following.

More Than Meets the Eye

I don’t read this as a story about miracles so much as a story about perspective. It makes me wonder: what am I missing in my own view of the world? Are there ways my fear distorts what’s actually happening? Are there forces at work—social, emotional, or even just relational—that I don’t notice until someone helps me look differently?

There’s something compelling about the idea that sight isn’t just about eyes. In the text, being "blind" or "seeing" isn’t always about physical ability; it’s about understanding, trust, maybe even imagination.

The Bigger Picture Might Be Hiding in Plain Sight

I keep thinking about that moment when Elisha says, "Open his eyes so he may see." Whether or not we believe in the same kind of unseen armies, the idea of hidden layers to a moment feels pretty relatable. It’s easy to assume our view is the whole picture, especially when things feel overwhelming.

Maybe the question isn’t always "What should I do?" but sometimes "What am I not seeing yet?"