The other day, I was driving to meet a friend for lunch. I took the same highway that I do each day to go to work. As I traveled, my mind wandered to something else. Next thing I knew, I flew past my exit.
Need to work. Oh, look, a butterfly.
How many of you have done the same thing?
We get distracted just walking into the next room. You might sit down to work on one project, and then another pops into your mind.
Unfortunately, that occurs a lot when you try to spend time with God. The devil will make sure you have other things on your mind. That’s why you need to find a quiet place. One where you can focus and not allow your mind to bounce to all the housework needing to be done, bills you have to pay, and the cell phone ringing.
Focus, focus, focus.
In 1 Corinthians 10:13 we’re told, No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. Distractions are nothing more than temptations to take you away from God. Everyone becomes bothered by these distractions. It’s human nature. But, the more time you spend with God, the more you will be able to ignore those distractions that come at you.
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I throw myself down in my chamber, and I call in and invite God and his angels thither, and when they are there, I neglect God and his angels, for the noise of a fly, for the rattling of a coach, for the whining of a door. A memory of yesterday’s pleasures, a fear of tomorrow’s dangers, a straw under my knees, a noise in my ear, a light in my eye, an anything, a nothing, a fancy, a chimera in my brain, troubles me in my prayers. – John Donne, poet
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It takes work to keep focused on a project. Even more so to stay focused on Jesus for any length of time. The last thing the devil wants is for you to feel God’s joy. But if you create a quiet space for just you and God, you should overcome some of the distractions from the outside world. Unfortunately, it takes a lot more work to get your mind emptied to concentrate on God and not all the issues you have to deal with during the day. However, in time, the more you get together with Him, the easier it will be to keep your attention focused.
If you or someone you know is in need of prayer this week, please leave a comment. We’d be more than happy to pray for you. And if this post moved you in some way, please feel free to share it.
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