Monday, August 25, 2014

Refocus


What has caught your attention lately? Have you been more concerned with the cares of this world, other people’s problems, or on difficult circumstances? Maybe you have been in a long spiritual battle and it has kept most of your time and attention. Whatever the reasons, you have lost your focus on Jesus. When we do this we can endure restlessness, anxiety, fear, stress, and feeling overwhelmed.

Just like with a camera lens, sometimes we need to adjust the camera lens so we can see the picture clearer. In our lives, sometimes we need to step back and find out why we are not focused on the things of God.


They enemy will use anything or anybody to derail and distract us from our purpose and walk with Christ. If you are focusing on the problems around you more than the promises of God, you have lost your focus. You may sense a lack of joy and peace in your life as a result of keeping your eyes fixated on the things that you cannot fix. Perhaps, you may have tried to fix other people’s dilemmas, which led you to focus on their cares and concerns more. The focus has been on everything but Christ. This was not intentional, but a subtle scheme of the enemy to turn you away from your only source of peace and hope, Jesus Christ. If you have been too busy for Christ, than you have been too busy.

Start today by evaluating what your focus has been on lately, and begin to lay aside every weight that has encroached upon you. Spend daily time with the Lord, and get into His presence where He can bring you back to His promises. Ask the Lord to give you His perspective on each thing that has caused you to lose focus on Christ. Maybe God wants you to cut back something, or even back off from relationships that keep you continually focused on the cares of this world. You may need to pull back for a while from relationships that have drained your energy and depleted you spiritually. These types of relationships have the potential to keep your focus in the wrong direction. If you have been helping others and have got lost in their problems, and you are sensing your helping is not helping but keeping you from the things of God; step back and get back into alignment with Christ.

How do you know you need to refocus with Christ?

1.      You are feeling anxious and uptight. You have lost your peace and joy.
2.      You are focused more on the problems than God’s promises.
3.      Your time with God is little or non-existent.
4.      You feel worried and fearful.
5.      You are irritable and perhaps even angry.
6.      You become cynical.
7.      Are worn-out physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
8.      You are putting your trust in everything but Christ.
9.      You are disappointed, discouraged, and maybe depressed.
10.  You are overwhelmed and stressed.
11.  You are not sleeping restfully.

Colossians 3:2 ESV
Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

Psalm 1:1-6 ESV
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;

Matthew 6:33 ESV
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.


Romans 8:5 ESV
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.


Philippians 4:8 ESV

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Featured Post

What to Do When You Are Disappointed

A relationship does not work out, a job does not go through, or your prodigal child that you have been praying for does not seem to lea...