The Need for Focus

We are powerless over sin when we lose our focus on Jesus.  Our human natures are so tied to this earth, its people, and its happenings that if we do not spend consecrated time with God we lose our focus and perspective.  Small irritations become large ones and pave the way for sin as we begin pointing out the faults of others as the cause of our discomfort.  Why?  Because we have lost the ability to perceive things from God’s perspective.  Instead, we substitute our own viewpoint and that quite naturally revolves around us.  

When we transition from God’s perspective to self’s perspective, we see everything in relation to our own goals and needs.  Sometimes when we think we are putting others needs in the forefront, in actuality we may be meeting our own needs because we desire to feel useful or benevolent or kind.  How do we know if we are doing something out of selfless compassion?  By how much it costs us.  Given the right circumstance, anyone can be magnanimous. But, when it is inconvenient, uncomfortable, or unpleasant and we still place another person's needs before our own, that is when we know we have God’s perspective because such selflessness mirrors His agape love.
  
To operate from God’s perspective, we must spend time alone at His feet.  We don’t need more Bible teaching, more devotionals, more Sunday school classes, more thoroughly researched Bible commentaries, more evangelism programs, more Christian apps for our phones, or more of anything, except Him. When we are tempted to complain, point out the faults of others, or recite how they have harmed us, we need to ask ourselves, “How is my personal walk with the Lord going?  Do I feel connected to Him right now?  Have I been spending time with Him in communion, the Bible and prayer?  Or, have I have been running around doing “good things,” too busy to sit at His feet?" 

We talk about making God our first priority, but how many of us actually do? Everyday pressures pull at us to focus on the earthly “urgent.”  It takes self-control, practice and determination to set aside distractions and our need to “show what we have accomplished.”  No one truly loves without sacrifice. When we willing sacrifice our personal agendas and our time to be with God, we will be blessed beyond measure by His presence, strength and power. 
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Spend time quietly at His feet. Whether it be 5 minutes, 15 minutes or an hour, make a commitment to read your Bible and pray everyday, just you and He alone. Listen for His heartbeat.  Allow Him to envelope you with His love, attitudes and motivation. If we do, we will look at people and life in a profoundly different way. Our focus will shift from being “me” centered to being God centered and we will experience true peace, love and joy. 

 "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." 
(John 10:10, NKJV)

Do Not Be Afraid

"Fear not, then; you are of more value than many sparrows."
(Matthew 10:31, AMP)

Regardless of what is happening in your life today, do not be afraid.  The Lord God knows all your sorrows, all your stresses and all your problems.  He is aware of each and every door you will walk through today.

God will provide a way of escape, if you will abide in Him. The way of escape may take a form you do immediately recognize.  Sometimes God leaves us where we are in order to make our way through a situation, rather than rescuing us out of it. But, He is always there beside you, supporting, leading, and guiding you.

Often we have to deal with difficult people or situations which tax our patience or our moral strength.  We may want to cave in and bend to another person's will simply because it would be easier and we don't want to deal with conflict. But, is it the right thing to do? Conflict is an inevitable part of being a member of a deeply flawed human race. Knowing how to deal with conflict and when to make a stand or when to simply let something go is true wisdom, something we need God's guidance for daily.

Most of us fear being disliked or rejected if we tell another person "no" or stand up to them.  Sometimes there may be real consequences involved when we do, such as loss of job or a friendship.  This is when we need to rely on God and remember,  "Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go" (Joshua 1:9, NKJV).  He will protect and guide us if we put our trust in Him.

This does not mean life will painless or our paths will be rock free, but it does mean we can hold our heads up with a clear conscience and stand for truth, regardless of the cost.  When our hearts are linked with God, we can lovingly and respectfully disagree with others without falling into anger or defensiveness.

If the person we are being honest with becomes defensive or critical, we need to be willing to listen to any just criticism and  be open to learning about our own faults. Sometimes things spoken in anger may contain some grain of truth. None of us are perfect and self-examination is a reflection of our maturity and humility.  However, it may also be true that the other person is simply out to destroy and humiliate us and when this appears to be the case, we can simply walk away.  When God disciplines it is through conviction, not guilt and humiliation.

If you are struggling today with a difficult person or situation, know that God is there beside you.  He will not leave you or forsake.  You can put your trust in Him.  Ask Him to show you His way through the situation.





Copyright 2014 Kathy F. Sanders

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