Where Is Our Focus?

As Christians, we’re not better than anyone else, but we’re better off because of Jesus. I sometimes lose focus of that. Whether I’m comparing my success to others, wondering why my efforts aren’t producing fruit, why God is seemingly ignoring me or not answering my prayers, or anything else that draws my attention away from the goodness of the Lord.

As Christians, were not promised no problems in life. In fact, Jesus clearly says that we will experience trials and tribulations in this life. He also tells us to take heart because he is overcome this world. (John 16:33)

In Psalm 42, the writer is experiencing a lot of these things. He’s sad he’s downtrodden and he’s wondering, just like we do, about what’s going on, where’s God, why am I suffering through this season. In verse 11, he declares that he’s going to worship the Lord and praise the Lord anyway. That’s where we’re called to do.

It’s not always easy to remember that we’re on this earth for a blink of an eye compared to eternity. We have bills to pay, mortgages to pay, car repairs, food to buy, and when that stuff is hard to keep up with, or work isn’t going well, or your kids are not listening, the list goes on, it can be hard to count it all joy. I’ve been there many times over the last several months. I’ve gotten mad at God and then remembered that none of this is God‘s fault. I am in some of these situations due to my own decisions or just the brokenness of this world.

When I am able to recognize that “woe is me” and “why me?” attitude and mindset coming on and experience it start to take over my thoughts, I can catch it and do something about it. I can realize that my focus is no longer on the Lord, but on me and my circumstances. And when I refocus my attention on the Lord and what the Bible says about me and my problems, my countenance improves and I can experience joy in the midst of these trials because when we focus on the Lord, we remember his goodness, his promises, his provisions, his faithfulness. (Philippians 4:8, 4:12-13)

If you’re experiencing struggles and hardship, whether physical, emotional, financial, relationally, or anything that’s drawing your attention away from the Lord, train yourself to be mindful and catch that before you let it go too far, and refocus on the Lord. The truth sets us free, and Jesus tells us that his yolk is light and his burden is light and that we can cast our cares upon him and he will take care of us. (Psalm 55:22, Matthew 11:28-30, 1 Peter 5:7)

That is my prayer for you and me today; that we would be mindful enough that when we start down the path of this isn’t fair and we start to get bitter or frustrated with our situation, or don’t feel the hope and the joy of the Lord in a situation, we can see that we’re focusing on ourselves and on our circumstances instead of the Lord.