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 you from your purpose and walk with Christ. If you are focusing on the
problems around you more than the promises of God, you will lose 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. The focus has been on everything but
Christ. Keeping your focus on everything but Jesus is 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 are harmful to you. 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.
