My brothers and sisters, life is filled with distraction designed to get and keep believers off their game.
Even as a pastor, I too deal with annoying issues. Now, what I face is real, but the reason I face it is the enemy wants it to be a distraction that causes me to focus on the problem instead of the solution. If I focus on the problem, I end up in a hopeless position of telling God how big my problem is, instead of telling my problem how big my God is.
The Bible tells us that Satan comes to steal, kill and destroy. He wants to steal our joy, kill our motivation and destroy our focus.
Jesus says it like this, "I come that you may have life and that more abundantly."
This lets me know the importance of fighting to keep my focus on God and not circumstances.
As we live our everyday lives it’s not difficult to lose focus on what’s important. It’s easy to get caught up in the problems of life and forget where our attention really needs to be. That’s why we end up in verbal altercations over things that don’t benefit us spiritually.
In the Apostle Paul’s writing to the church in Thessalonica, he reminds us that Jesus is going to return at any time and it is our responsibility to be ready.
We should live with a sense of urgency because we don’t know the day or the hour of his return.
Our Christian walk has to be more that coming to church on Sunday. What about the other six days? We must live every day to glorify God! Paul gives us things we can focus on as we strive to please God through our living.
He tells us to focus on our joy. Life is difficult and depression is always lurking. But, Paul says to "rejoice always." He further tells us to focus on prayer. One thing Satan doesn’t want us to do is pray. The Bible tells us to pray without ceasing. This is how the obstacles of distraction are removed. Prayer also keeps our spirit elevated to God.
Paul encourages us to not quench the Holy Spirit. Instead of quenching, let us try stirring.
He also tells us to focus on that which is true and good. Know that what you are hearing is the truth, not because of the person who says it, but because it lines up with God’s written word.
Let me leave you with Philippians 4:8:
"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, focus on these things."
When we keep our focus on God we won’t be weighed down by the trials of life. Allow him to calm your worries and your fears.
Fight to keep your focus.
Dyer, pastor of New Vision Restoration Center, is a member of the United Ministerial Alliance.