Shifting Our Focus

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy – meditate on these things. Philippians 4:8

Yesterday I shared several of the things that our family has been going through, but today I wanted to talk about shifting our focus. I want to talk about how we can choose not to let those things consume us. Disclaimer: I’m still a work in progress! I don’t have all of this figured out, but these are some of the things God is encouraging me to do.

First, look at others. I know that sounds crazy, but hear me out. I don’t want you to compare yourself with others. We do too much of that in this digital crazed world. Look at others you can help. Once you get your focus off of yourself and blessing others, God always shows you someone in a worse situation than you. There are countless times this has happened in my life. In those moments, I have to take a step back and decide how to respond to their need. To be completely honest, I used to be terrible, but through time I’ve become intentional about helping others when I know the need.

Now, you can’t pour out of an empty cup, so you can’t stop praising the Lord. James 1:2-3 says, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.” I don’t know about you, but it is good for my soul to just praise the Lord. I’ll sit in my living room alone and turn on my worship music and just spend time with the Lord. His peace just washes over me.

Thirdly, you have to spend time in the Word. You have to grow through this trial you’re facing, and you have to have truth in your life. Only real truth comes from the Bible. Psalms 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Staying in the Word will lead us where He is calling.

Fourthly, we have to keep praying. You can pour out all of your hurt and all of your frustrations to your Savior. Psalms 3:3-4 says, “But You, O LORD, are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head. I cried to the LORD with my voice, And He heard me from His holy hill.” I shared these verses yesterday, but I just had to again. When we cry out to Him, He always hears us and He lifts us up.

When going through things, we have to shift our focus. It’s so easy to get caught up in all that’s going on with us, but we have to give it all to God. A friend of mine commented yesterday, GOD IS BIGGER. And she is so right! He can change our circumstances in an instance or He can make us walk through it all. Either way, He is able to give us the strength and peace to get through it all. I pray that if you are going through something today that you shift your focus to the One who can change your circumstances or your heart. I pray you know who holds your future.

If you don’t know Jesus as your Lord and Savior and aren’t sure how to make that happen, please reach out to me. I would love to pray with you.