We have amazing brains that compensate for our lack of physical perfection. As we age and begin to lose hearing often we miss the first sounds of words so our brains instantly search our vocabulary and fill in what our brains thinks should be there. They don’t always select the right word. This is one reason older couples often get a bit cranky or short with each other. They think the other has said something the other did not say. Ouch.
Our brains do the same with our eyes. We have a blind spot in each eye where the optic nerve connects to the eyeball. We don’t notice because the blind spot in each eye is just a bit off from the other and each eye covers the other eye’s blind spot. If you desire to see if this is so Google “eye blind spot”. It will take you to sites where you can test this by closing one eye and focusing on a + sign. Nearby is a dark spot. As you move your head toward the screen the black spot will disappear. It is in your blind spot. Now comes the interesting part. You will not see nothing. Instead your brain will fill in the spot with white just as it had compensated for your hearing loss.
We also have mental blind spots. These are related to our relationships and at times we are blind to, let’s say our children’s faults. Our brains will because of love choose the best possible interpretation for their failures. If our brain is full of God’s Word or something of much lesser value our brain can only draw upon what is there. Garbage in – garbage out. God’s word in – God’s word out.
“Thy Word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against thee.” Psalm 119:11.
Written by Roger Bothwell on September 23, 2010
Spring of Life Ministry, PO Box 124, St.Helena, CA 94574
Rogerbothwell.org