Spiritual Honesty in Recovery Begins with What the Eyes Reveal
You’ve likely heard the saying, “The eyes are the windows to the soul.” In other words, our eyes often reveal our inner spiritual condition.
In recovery, we often sense how a fellow member is doing simply by looking into their eyes. For example, how often have you asked someone, “How are you doing?” only to hear, “I’m fine”? At that moment, do you believe in their words, or do you trust what their eyes reveal? Too often, people hide dishonesty and discomfort behind the familiar “I’m fine” response, and as a result, that response can close them off from the outside world.
In Scripture, Jesus taught: “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness” — Matthew 6:22–23. Therefore, what we allow into our hearts shapes what others eventually see in us.
Healthy Spiritual Vision Invites Honesty
Likewise, a healthy eye can quickly discern a person’s state of mind and invite honesty when we ask, “How are you?” An unhealthy eye, however, may make that same question feel exposing or threatening.
Vulnerability in Recovery Breaks the Fishbowl
Meanwhile, in today’s world, some people will dislike us, take from us, or treat us poorly. When that happens, we have a choice: we can pretend we do not care and numb the pain or fear of being hurt, or we can stop hiding behind our eyes. Instead, we do not have to live in a “fishbowl,” keeping others from seeing our vulnerability.
Similarly, as Pink Floyd’s well-known image suggests, we can feel like “two lost souls swimming in a fishbowl,” trapped by the same old fears.
Faith Over Fear Brings Healing Through Jesus
Ultimately, the healthier choice is to ask for help. With Jesus, we have nothing to fear; Scripture repeats His message again and again: do not be afraid. Instead of letting fear weaken the soul, we can let faith invite healing.
Reflection: So, if the eyes truly reveal the soul, how sound is your eye today? When someone asks with genuine concern, “How are you?” how will you respond?