Written By: Tayler Burcham
For as long as I can remember, my eyesight has been a significant struggle. My vision was so poor that I was just shy of being considered legally blind. The idea of getting LASIK eye surgery lingered in the back of my mind for years—15 years, to be exact—but I couldn’t muster the courage to schedule even a consultation.
The fear was overwhelming. What if something went wrong? The little eyesight I had felt like a fragile gift, and the thought of losing it entirely was paralyzing. Over the years, my siblings and even my husband shared their encouragement and success stories, urging me to consider the procedure. Yet no amount of reassurance could quiet the “what if” playing on a loop in my head.
There were times when my poor vision made me feel incredibly vulnerable. I remember nights during deployments when I would lie awake, thinking about how helpless I’d be if someone broke into the house. Even that fear wasn’t enough to push me toward action. I was stuck in my own fear.
It wasn’t until a couple of months ago that my vulnerability became reality. Strangers ended up in my house in the middle of the night, uninvited. I don’t think I’ll ever forget that feeling of panic—of not being able to see clearly and feeling utterly exposed. That experience finally opened my eyes (no pun intended) to just how precarious my situation was. I realized it was time to stop letting fear dictate my decisions.
Fast forward to now: I’ve had the LASIK procedure, and it’s only been a few days, but the results are astounding. I can see! Perfectly! I never imagined this would be my reality. What once seemed impossible has become a miracle I’m living in. I catch myself marveling at how I can read the smallest text or see distant details with clarity I’ve never known.
This journey reminds me of a deeper truth about fear and faith. Fear often keeps us bound, holding us back from experiencing the fullness of life God has for us. Like my hesitation with LASIK, we sometimes resist stepping out in faith, afraid of what might go wrong. Yet God calls us to trust Him, even in the unknown.
Isaiah 41:10 says, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” That promise is a reminder that we are never alone, even when facing our greatest fears.
In the same way that my vision has been restored, God offers to restore our spiritual vision. He opens our eyes to see His goodness, His plans, and His provision, even when fear clouds our perspective. Just as I needed to trust the surgeons with my eyesight, we need to trust God with our lives. When we surrender our fears to Him, we find clarity, strength, and peace beyond anything we could imagine.
Today, I’m grateful not only for the gift of physical sight but also for the spiritual lessons this experience has taught me. It’s a reminder that miracles happen when we step out in faith and trust the One who holds our future in His hands.
As we step into a new year, this is the perfect time to embrace a fresh start and trust God with every area of our lives. Just as I finally took the leap and experienced a life-changing transformation, you too can leap into God’s arms and trust Him fully. Let this year be the one where you set aside fear and walk boldly in faith, knowing that He is with you every step of the way.
Written By: Tayler Burcham
