Originally published Monday, 02 December 2019.
Are you finding it hard to get focused spiritually these days? If so, what’s got you losing focus? What are you thinking about? What’s distracting you? Who is distracting you? What do you need to focus on today, this week, this month? Whatever it is, my hope and prayer is that you will learn how to get focused spiritually and begin moving even further in your walk with the Lord and God-given assignments.
For starters, I need to ask a few more questions. Do you ever struggle getting focused as you read the Bible or a spiritual book? Do you find your mind shifting to other things as you begin reading or drifting towards what you need to get done for the day? Better yet, do you find yourself reading a quick devotional and then jumping right into your day and then feeling like you’ve got a major accomplishment done? If so, guess what?
Tactics!
One of the reasons why we can’t seem to get focused or stay focused long enough these days is because of the intensified tactics of Satan. The truth is he does not want us diving deeper into the Word. He does not want us drawing closer to God. He does not want us growing stronger in our faith to counteract his fiery darts of doubt, fear, insecurity, and sense of lack. And he definitely does not want us to know the plans or promises of God, which are written in Scripture. And he for sure, doesn’t want us living out the Word and obeying it.
So, what does he do? He strategizes and comes up with all kinds of tactics to either distract us, get us disinterested, or too busy mentally and physically to stay focused spiritually. I've been there before! So I know what I'm talking about here, my sister. But let me go a bit deeper.
The term “tactic” actually means a planned way of doing something. So just like you and I plan to spend uninterrupted time with God, Satan plans to interrupt that time by filling our minds with everything else that we need to focus on instead.
That could be anything from your To-Do-List, problems, email, social media, goals, food, money, relationship, kids, ideas, and the list could literally go on and on. It doesn’t matter what it is, really. His mission is to get you to lose focus on all things spiritual.
And if you’re not careful, before you know it, you’ll find yourself drifting away from Scripture, prayer, and your passion for spending quality time with the Lord and your love for Him will begin to wane (if it hasn’t already).
But here’s how you fight back and get focused spiritually…
Plan and Pray– As you plan out your day, include scheduled time with God…uninterrupted. You have to do whatever it takes to stay focused. If that means getting up earlier (before your hubby and kids get up or before your alerts start going off on your phone), do it. The main thing is to pray and ask the Lord to help you to stay focused on Him in prayer, meditation, and in His Word.
Listen as You Go– Meaning, listen to the Word on TV, YouTube, or Bible App as you get ready for work, a meeting, church, or whatever you’re getting ready for. You can listen as you do your hair, make-up, shower, or drive to your intended destination. The point here is to stop at nothing from getting closer to God and going even deeper in your knowledge, passion, and love for God. Fight for it.
Set a Timer– I totally do this! Set a timer and don’t do anything else outside of your time with God, until the alarm goes off. You can set it from your phone, clock, stove, microwave, or buy a stopwatch or timing device. And you can set it for 15, 30, 60 minutes, or longer. The Holy Spirit will lead you on the time. Just stay focused, sis.
Got a Goal?– What’s your spiritual goal? Do you want to read the Psalms or Proverbs through? Or how about reading the Bible through or focusing on the Old or New Testament? Maybe it’s reading a book of the Bible at a time? What about studying the parables, a Bible character, women of the Bible, or doing a topical/word study? Maybe it’s focusing on memorizing more Scriptures for application and/or teaching? Whatever it is, fight to get focused and don’t stop until you’ve accomplished your goal. You can even get others to hold you accountable.
Go Beyond a Daily Devotion– Go deeper. That could look like waking up on Saturday morning or on one of your off days (if you work) and planning to spend a few hours in the Bible, prayer, or reading or studying the Word. You could also carve out some reading time for one of those books on the shelf, Kindle or ibooks that you’ve been wanting to read. Crack open that Study Bible or software (if you have any of those), and dig in for deeper understanding and fresh revelation. The aim here it to encourage you to get focused and don’t let up until the Holy Spirit leads you to do so. He knows how much you need to fill up in this season, so you can have something to pour out when it’s time.
Listen sis, the devil has plans, but so can you and I! Fight back by being intentional with your time. When you and I go deeper into God’s Word, prayer, fasting, meditation and memorization of Scripture, we are a force to be reckoned with. We have even greater power against the wiles of the devil, when we are alert and focused spiritually.
The Bible tells us in 1 Peter 5:8-9, “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith.” This is about strengthened faith, growth in knowledge and character, greater love, encouraging the body of Christ, endurance, and fulfilling the Great Commission – the Gospel.
So, do whatever it takes to get focused and stay focused, sis. Remember to do what Colossians 3:2 says, “Think about things of heaven, not the things of the earth.” Shift your focus. God will help you. You are not alone in the process. Try it today and look out for the impact that it will make in your life, the life of others, and most importantly, your relationship with God. Get focused spiritually, my sister.
Remember, Jesus is coming back soon! And those who endure unto the end shall be saved. So let’s be ready from the Inside Out!
~Courtnaye
QUESTION: Do you ever struggle getting focused spiritually? If so, why is it a struggle for you? Let me know, sis. Also, do you need prayer today? If so, write it out here or you can email me directly to join you in prayer on it @ insideoutwithcourtnaye@gmail.com. I look forward to hearing from you and praying for you.
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