Lately, I feel like God has been warning me about distractions. In fact, while I was trying to write this article, I got distracted all over the place!
In today’s world, we face entertainment distractions, social media distractions, crisis distractions, everyday life distractions, and many more. It seems like my attention span is getting shorter and shorter, and the space for creative thinking and productivity is being choked out.
Am I the only one who gets distracted more often than I’d like? What can we do?
Every one of us has our share of distractions, no matter our status, daily work, age, or where we live. There’s just so much going on! But the enemy of our souls would love for us to do nothing all day but give in to the distractions of life.
The thing is, nothing gets done if we don’t stay focused. So let’s remind ourselves daily of our purpose. We are only on this earth a short time, and we’re here for a reason.
Paul said it this way in Philippians 3:
Keep focused on the goal! If we ask ourselves every day, “Why am I here?” I believe it helps us stay grounded and focused. I guarantee that we are not here to be jerked around by every distraction that comes our way in a day!
Here are five practical ways to focus in and get the victory over distractions:
1) Be aware.
You can’t get the victory unless you realize what’s distracting you. If you get too many social media notifications in a day, disable that function. Retain your attention span. Recognize the distractions, the plots of the enemy, and refuse to let them have air time.
2) Make a list, check it twice.
If you’re trying to focus on something and something else occurs to you or wants your attention, write it down – then continue with what you’re working on. Or if it seems like everything is wrong and nothing is right, make a list of all those things and find scriptures that have your answer. Then every time trouble comes to mind say, “Thank you, Father, for working ALL of that together for good – You are causing me to triumph!” (Rom. 8:28, 2 Cor. 2:14).
3) Ask for help.
This means delegate, yes, when you can. But first it means: ask God! “Father, I need your help to focus here. Thank you for helping me keep the distractions at bay!” Use your authority and bind the devil! (Matt. 16:19)
4) Engage the Spirit.
There’s no better way to get a grip on natural things than with spiritual things. Pray in tongues! It releases the powerhouse inside you!
5) Find the flow.
Matthew 11:29 tells us to “Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.”I’ve learned that if I’m trying to focus in on something (ie writing a blog!) and I just cannot get into it, I wait. I stop fighting it and say, “Okay Lord, I’ll come back to this later when Your grace is flowing.” Works. Every. Time.
I challenge you to make a concerted effort to push distractions to the perimeter and do everything possible this week to focus on Jesus and on your purpose. Bring back productivity and laser focus into your life. It takes effort, but it’s so worth it to fulfill God’s purpose for you!
Copyright © Karen Jensen Salisbury Ministries
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Karen Jensen Salisbury has been in ministry for almost 30 years, and a writer for almost 40. She and her first husband, Brent, traveled as itinerant ministers, and also pioneered two churches in the Northwest.
In 1997, upon Brent's unexpected death, she became Senior Pastor of their church in Boise, Idaho. She raised their sons, Josh and Ryan, through their teenage years into young men on fire for God.
Karen was an instructor at Rhema Bible Training College in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma from 2005 to 2014. In March of 2014 she married businessman Bob Salisbury, and they live in Minneapolis. Now in addition to writing books, Karen travels across the U.S. and overseas, sharing what she has learned about the faithfulness of God through good times and bad.
Her teachings and writings have influenced the lives of hundreds of thousands of people all over the world. Her humor, her never-give-up attitude, her love for God and her strong stand on His Word will bless and inspire you.