Focus!
Pastor Chip Kawalsingh
2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (NIV) - For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
There are many things that can cause you to be distracted in life. Both delays and disappointments can lead to frustration, which can soon result in a discouraged heart. One of the major problems that believers who struggle with low self-esteem, depression and anxiety face is a lack of focus on God, instead choosing to focus more on their own self or issues. When we take our eyes off of Jesus, problems soon become big and seem impossible to conquer, and it’s exactly at these times when we need God’s Word close to us. You see, anyone can serve God when everything is fine, but the depth of a person’s faith is seen in tough times. Prayer during these times brings supernatural strength.
James 5:13 (NIV) - Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise.
Prayer shows that you’re not proud but able to go to God and ask Him to help you during your times of trouble. The key is to take action; for example, call upon the Lord in prayer, fasting and worship. Even simply going to Church is a positive action that will help you during life’s storms. Worry, anxiety, comfort-eating, staying home and withdrawing will never help you, they will only lead to more problems.
Psalm 27:4 (NLT) - The one thing I ask of the LORD—the thing I seek most is to live in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, delighting in the LORD’s perfections and meditating in his Temple.
When you’re feeling like life’s getting too big, when you’re going through problems and suffering delays and disappointments, ask the Lord to give you wisdom to understand the big picture of what’s happening. Whenever we try to do things in our own strength, whenever we try to make things fit or work them out ourselves we can actually do more harm than good. During these moments learn to pause! The Psalms calls it ‘Selah’ which really means to remain still and let the peace of God wash over you. It reinforces the reality that God loves you and has good things waiting for you. His timing is always right and His provision will never run out. Just trust Him, keep your eyes on Him and remain focused!
