I don’t wear glasses anymore, but I did from kindergarten until a few years ago.I had this intense corrective surgery that has helped me see long distance…but I still need those readers! So trust me when I tell you that I’ve tried on enough pairs to know that the right lenses can change everything.
Suddenly, the blurry becomes clear. Colors pop. Details you didn’t even realize were there come into focus.
Our perspective works the same way.
The lens through which we see the world shapes our thoughts, emotions, and even our actions. In cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), we talk about this all the time. It’s not just the situation that impacts how we feel — it’s the way we interpret it.
A few months ago, I went to see a movie with a friend. We laughed at the same jokes, noticed the same scenery, and followed the same storyline. But by the time the credits rolled, we walked out with completely different takeaways.
I walked out feeling inspired, thinking about all the little ways we can tackle daily challenges and keep moving forward. My friend, though, saw things differently — they were frustrated by the characters’ choices, wondering why they didn’t just “get it right.”
It was such a clear reminder that perspective isn’t just about what happens to us — it’s about how we interpret it. Two people can experience the same event and see it in completely different ways. Neither one of us were wrong, we just saw things differently.
Sometimes, our mental lenses are scratched, cloudy, or outdated. Maybe they’re tinted by past hurts, fear, or negative thinking patterns. CBT invites us to pause and ask, Is there another way to see this? We can learn to challenge our automatic thoughts and swap out distorted thinking for something more truthful and balanced. It’s like putting on a new pair of glasses — suddenly, hope and possibility come back into focus.
The Bible talks about this same shift in perspective. Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Renewal is God’s way of giving us new lenses — ones that are grounded in His truth, not in our fears or past experiences.
When we look at life through the lens of God’s promises, we see differently. Hardships become opportunities for growth. Waiting becomes a place where faith can deepen. Even pain can be reframed as a space where God’s presence meets us in unexpected ways.
So maybe today is a good day to check your lenses. Are you viewing your life through fear or faith? Through bitterness or grace? Through hopelessness or hope?
The right glasses don’t change the scenery — they change the way you see it.
Mental Health Mondays 
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