This is one very sad picture. The problem is perception and the perception is wrong. If it can happen on the outside, why not the inside as well? Do we have an accurate assessment of our spiritual health? Consider these words of Jesus....Matthew 13:1-9 WEB (R)
(1) On that day Jesus went out of the house, and sat by the seaside.
(2) Great multitudes gathered to him, so that he entered into a boat, and sat, and all the multitude stood on the beach.
(3) He spoke to them many things in parables, saying, "Behold, a farmer went out to sow.
(4) As he sowed, some seeds fell by the roadside, and the birds came and devoured them.
(5) Others fell on rocky ground, where they didn't have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, because they had no depth of earth.
(6) When the sun had risen, they were scorched. Because they had no root, they withered away.
(7) Others fell among thorns. The thorns grew up and choked them.
(8) Others fell on good soil, and yielded fruit: some one hundred times as much, some sixty, and some thirty.
(9) He who has ears to hear, let him hear."
Nobody consciously wishes to be in the first three categories, but how we think about God's word to us could radically affect which of the four categories we are in. I like parables because they tell an Earthly story that has a heavenly meaning. Which in a way is what I do all the time with this post: A picture of the world around us, the word of God and a meaning, everyday! An ordinary meaning at that, because I have no illusions of being a great writer, just one who tries to see the world through the word of God. Just as long as the reflection is accurate, no problem! Anything else can cause trouble... just like the picture. Got your Jesus glasses on?