Put on "blinkers" of Faith

BLINKERS OF FAITH

Walking by Faith and Not by Sight

Key Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:7

“For we walk by faith, not by sight.”

Dear friends, let's talk today about something I call “the blinkers of faith.”

When you see a horse wearing blinkers, the purpose isn't to make the horse blind. The blinkers are there to limit distraction. They keep the horse focused on the road ahead rather than being distracted by what is happening on either side.

And I believe there are times when God wants us to put on our spiritual blinkers.

Not because He doesn't want us to see—but because He doesn't want us to become distracted by what we see.

1. FAITH LOOKS AT GOD, NOT THE CIRCUMSTANCES

The Bible says:

“For we walk by faith, not by sight.”

Sight says, “Look at the problem.”

Faith says, “Look at God.”

Sight says, “There's no way.”

Faith says, “God will make a way.”

Sight sees the storm.

Faith sees the One who can calm the storm.

Sometimes what we see can become so overwhelming that we forget who God is.

You might look at your finances and see lack.

You might look at your family and see problems.

You might look at your situation and see no way forward.

But God says, “Don't allow what you see to determine what you believe.”

Because what you see is temporary—but God's Word is eternal.

2. DON'T LET THE SIDE SHOW DISTRACT YOU

Think about Peter walking on the water.

Jesus told him, “Come.”

Peter stepped out of the boat and began doing something naturally impossible.

As long as Peter's focus was on Jesus, he walked on water.

But then he looked at the wind.

He looked at the waves.

And fear entered his heart.

The Bible says:

“When he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink...”

— Matthew 14:30

Notice this: the storm was already there when Peter stepped out of the boat.

The storm didn't change.

Peter's focus changed.

And sometimes our circumstances haven't changed—but our focus has.

We started looking at the problem instead of the Promise.

We started looking at people instead of God.

We started looking at what hasn't happened instead of remembering what God has already done.

That's why we need the blinkers of faith.

Keep your eyes on Jesus.

3. FAITH DOESN'T MEAN YOU SEE NOTHING

Having faith doesn't mean pretending the problem isn't there.

Faith says:

“I see the problem, but I know my God is greater.”

Faith doesn't say there is no storm.

Faith says:

“God is with me in the storm.”

Faith doesn't say there will never be a difficult season.

Faith says:

“This difficult season will not have the final word.”

Hebrews 11:1 tells us:

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

There are things God is doing that you cannot see yet.

Just because you can't see God working doesn't mean God isn't working.

Just because the door hasn't opened doesn't mean God has forgotten you.

Just because you don't understand the process doesn't mean God has lost control.

4. KEEP MOVING FORWARD

Sometimes God won't show you the entire journey.

He'll show you the next step.

Abraham had to leave without knowing exactly where he was going.

Peter had to step out of the boat before he knew what would happen.

And sometimes God is saying to us:

“Stop asking Me to show you the whole road. Trust Me enough to take the next step.”

Proverbs 3:5 says:

“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.”

You don't have to understand everything.

You just have to trust God.

CONCLUSION: PUT ON YOUR BLINKERS

Church, there are times when we need to say:

“I'm not going to look to the left.”

I'm not going to compare myself with somebody else.

“I'm not going to look to the right.”

I'm not going to allow people's opinions to determine my faith.

“I'm not going to keep looking behind me.”

My past is not going to control my future.

I'm going to look straight ahead—to Jesus.

Hebrews 12:2 says:

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith...”

That's our answer.

Look unto Jesus.

When you don't know what to do—look to Jesus.

When you're discouraged—look to Jesus.

When the storm is raging—look to Jesus.

When you can't see the way forward—look to Jesus.

When your circumstances are saying, “It's impossible,” remember that God says:

“With God all things are possible.” — Matthew 19:26

So today, put on your blinkers of faith.

Don't allow what is happening around you to distract you from the One who is leading you.

You may not see the breakthrough yet.

You may not see the answer yet.

You may not see how God is going to do it.

But keep walking.

Because faith says:

“I can't see it, but I trust You.”

“I don't understand it, but I trust You.”

“I don't know what's ahead, but I know Who is ahead of me.”

And as long as Jesus is ahead of us, we can keep moving forward.

Prayer

Father, help us to walk by faith and not by sight. Help us to put on the blinkers of faith and keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. When circumstances try to distract us, remind us of Your promises. When fear tells us to stop, give us faith to keep walking. We may not see the whole road, but we trust the One who knows the way. In Jesus' mighty name, Amen.