There are numerous things that are distracting us from our God. Most of these things are not bad. However, we can’ t allow these things to take us away from God and His Word. And if we allow distractions to occupy our time, this only takes us further away from him.
Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world–the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does–comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever. (1 John 2:15-17)
Dis·trac·tion
a thing that prevents someone from giving full attention to something else. “to be overly occupied about a thing; to be drawn away.”
What is preventing you from giving full attention to what God is calling you to do. What is stopping you from reaching your full potential God has for you. Whatever you give attention to the most is going to flow out of your heart and define your life. The Internet, cell phones, television, and the speed at which technology advances and information flows has created an environment where distractions surround us every moment of the day—literally, from the moment we wake up to the moment we shut our eyes at night.
I am reminded of Nehemiah 6: 1-4. Where Nehemiah was heartbroken for his city and the shambles that it was in. He left the comfort of the kingdom and his job to go and sacrifice himself for the sake of others. He has been criticized and threatened along the way but he was unselfish in his endeavor to help others so he stayed focused on the task that God had laid on his heart and did not let the distractions keep him from doing the will of God.
We are a distracted generation because we have so many more things in our lives that keep us from staying focused on the things that really matter. In our homes we have a ton of channels on our televisions, computers and I phone that have more technology than we need, and we also have more distractions with the busyness of life. Some things are not always bad but still cost us time and focus from what we should really be doing. We are going to look at the continuing story of Nehemiah and see what he did to keep himself on track as well as what distractions he dealt with.
The enemy will always try to distract you from what you are to be doing and the choice is not always easy to discern. What has God called you to do? Then do that. When you know what your God given priorities are, then you will know if the other things that are pulling at you are worthy of your time. When you do not have priorities, that is when other people will pull you toward their priorities.
They were persistent in trying to get Nehemiah distracted and so will others do to you when they want to get your attention and time. If you are not careful people can wear you down over time just like a child who continues to ask for the same thing repeatedly. You think that by giving into their needs it will relieve the situation but, you just allowed them to have control over you. Therefore, you have to know the great work God has called you to do and prioritize your life around it.
You cannot be distracted by things that are keeping you from your purpose. You do not have time to waste, worried about what people think about you. Your time is too valuable to respond to every critic, every negative comment, try to convince people that you really are okay – those are distractions. Everyone is not going to like you; everyone is not going to accept you. Quit trying to convince someone to understand you, that is determined to misunderstand you. Some people do not want to be for you and that’s okay, you don’t need them to fulfill your destiny.
God has already lined up the right people, people that will celebrate you, people that will cheer you on, people that stick with you through thick and thin. But too often we’re trying to convince people to be our friend, convince them to spend time with us, but if someone doesn’t see the gift you are, if they don’t recognize your talents, value your friendship, do yourself a favor and move on. No offense, but they are not a part of your destiny.
Most of the things that come against you are simply distractions. You have to keep your face set, it takes focus, it takes discipline to say, “I am not going to respond, not going to waste my valuable time. I have a destiny to fulfill.
Mark 6:45-56, we see that even the disciples were easily distracted and oblivious to the miracles that Jesus was performing right in front of their eyes. They were too busy and overwhelmed by the storm to see the miracle or appreciate it for all its worth.
Storms and rough seasons are the best distractions Satan uses to take our eyes off of Jesus and all that He is doing in our lives. The disciples were so focused on the storm they were in the middle of that they almost missed Jesus walking right by their boat on the water. Can you imagine missing a miracle as incredible as that one?
Proverbs 20:3 says, “It is an honor for a man to keep away from strife [by handling situations with thoughtful foresight], But any fool will [start a] quarrel [without regard for the consequences]. Proverb 20:3 (Amplified)
It is easy to get in conflict, upset, offended, want to pay people back – that does not take any discipline. Avoiding a fight, not taking the bait, not being drawn into conflict – that takes your face being set. The next time something comes against you, ask yourself, “Is this a battle worth fighting or is it simply a distraction”? That person that cut you off in traffic, is it worth getting upset over, when you are never going to see them again? That co-worker that leaves you out, does not give you credit, do you think they can stop your destiny, that somehow, they are more powerful, than what God has ordained for you? They are distractions. The only way they can hinder you is if you get baited into conflict. Best thing you could do – ignore it, don’t give it the time of day.
” Someone offended you, they’re talking about you, I’m gonna go straighten them out”. After you straighten them out, someone else will start talking about you.
Here’s what I have learned: nobody talks about people that are not doing anything. Nobody tries to discredit someone that does not have any influence. The reason they are talking about you is because you are a difference maker, you’re a world changer, they can see the gifts, the influence, the anointing, the favor on your life. And the brighter the light, the more the heat. The higher God takes you; the more people are going to see you. And sometimes instead of celebrating you, people will get jealous, try to pull you down, get you into conflict. Do not take the bait – it is a distraction. Keep your face set, stay focused on your purpose.
Before David faced Goliath, his father asked him to take lunch to his brothers that were in another city on the battlefield. David arrived and gave the lunch to his oldest brother, he was jealous of David, he said in front of everyone, “What are you doing here David? What did you do with those few sheepyou’re supposed tobe taking care of”? Instead of thanking David for traveling several days, he insulted him, tried to belittle him. Now, David had
John 17:4 have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do.
Jesus did what He came to do, no more and no less. There was so much more to be done but Jesus knew that He had one job to do and that was to do the will of the Father. Many people tried to pull at Jesus and make Him do what they wanted but Jesus stayed focused on His task even at the expense of making others mad at Him.
In Luke 9:51 it says, “Jesus had set his face toward Jerusalem,” which meant nothing was going to detour Him away from the mission. The Samaritans became so angry with Jesus he went to stay in another village.
People will not always understand that you are doing a great work and they will not always agree that the work you are doing is greater than the work they want you to do.
One of the works of the enemy is to have a Judas or a betrayer close to you. These are people that will seem they are for you, yet they will betray you for their own benefit or because their loyalty is with another person. These people are serving for their benefit of what they can get from you and not for the glory of God.
David killed a lion and a bear with his own hands, he was young, but he was not a weakling. I have no doubt, he could have taken care of his brother. But David thought, “What are the spoils? What good is it going to do me, if I embarrass my brother in front of his peers, like he did me”? He realized, all that would do was feed his ego, there was no reward.
The scripture says David turned and walked away. He ignored it. One reason we are talking about him is he knew which battles to fight, he did not engage in every conflict. And Paul said in Romans 12:18, “As far as you can live at peace with everyone”. It does not say that you are always going to have peace with every person, some people don’t want to have peace with you. David’s brother did not want peace, he was jealous, he was small-minded, he wanted to stir things up. David had to accept that his brother was not going to be at peace with him.
Life is too short to try to have peace with people, that do not want to have peace with you. And some of your relatives, you love them, but you must love them from a distance. Do not frustrate yourself trying to make things happen that they do not want to happen. And that is not being disrespectful, that is being responsible with the gifts God has given you. Stop trying to make things happen that they do not want to happen. And that is not being disrespectful, that is being responsible with the gifts God has given you.
Genesis 12, God told Abraham to leave his country, his relatives and his father’s house and go to the land of Canaan. Abraham gathered up his belongings, got his flocks and herds and he left, but he took his nephew Lot with him. God just told him to leave his relatives. I do not know, maybe he thought, “Lot will get his feelings hurt, he may be offended”. He knew the right thing to do, but he was afraid someone would not understand. When they arrived, the land would not sustain both he and Lot, all their flocks and herds. Their shepherd started arguing, there was strife and division, all because Lot was not supposed to be there in the first place.
Finally Lot moved to a different part of the country. The scripture says, after Lot left God said to Abraham: look around, all the lands you see I will give it to you. It is interesting that God did not speak until after Lot left. When Abraham finally did what he knew he was supposed to do, when Lot moved away, that’s when Abraham stepped into the fullness of the blessing.
Do you have some Lots in your life? Are you letting the fear of what people think, keep you from hearing the new thing God has for you? “What if we move the church? What if they get upset? What if people don’t understand”? Why don’t you get rid of the Lots? Quit being afraid of the people, quit letting them squeeze you into their mold. Do not get stuck in tradition, God has blessings you have never seen, increase that you have never imagined. I am asking you to get rid of any distractions: no more living to please people, no more worrying about what others thinks, no more fighting battles that do not matter. This is your hour; this is your time. Make up your mind, you are going to set your face, you are going to become who God created you to be. If you will do this, I believe and declare, like with Abraham, you are about to see unprecedented favor, new doors are about to open, divine connections, breakthroughs, the right people, healing, favor, victory, the fullness of your destiny, in Jesus name.
There are many things in our lives that can be distracting:
3 Common Distractions That Can Challenge Your Walk with Jesus
Everyday Worries
Food, clothing, and shelter. It’s funny how we add many more to that list in our day and age, like a vehicle, smart phones/tablets, a partner worth one’s social status, a decent paying job, and more.
You may ask how these basic needs could possibly come in the way of our relationship with Jesus. How could these needs deter our walk with Him? But you know, as well as I do, we can end up giving them our undivided attention.
Jesus was clear when it came to some of these things.
Matthew 6:25-30 ESV
- “Therefore, I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?”
Hectic routines and commitments
What happens to most of us in our pursuit to meet the basic needs in life is that we get extremely caught up either with studies, work, or the perfect career/business pursuit. Then, time becomes a very costly commodity for us. Consequently, we tend to not have time for prayer, bible study, or even church. That is why the Bible advises us:
Ephesians 5:16 ESV
- “…making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.”
We should not blame a lack of time as an excuse for our relaxed walk with Jesus. Make the most of your time in the office, at home, while travelling, and in everything you do. Create margin in your life and pursue a relationship with Jesus.
Ourselves
Ourselves. Us. The last one on the list of distractions, and possibly the most likely to distract us. We are No matter what you do, there will be a constant battle within yourself between spirit and flesh, to try to get you do what you want to do, instead of what the Holy Spirit is telling you to do.
Romans 7:15-20 ESV
- “For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. 16 Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. 17 So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. 18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.”
That is why we need to constantly allow God to search our hearts and purify it (Psalm 139:23-24). The first step to overcoming ourselves is being aware.
Three common distractions that can derail your walk with Jesus. It is a constant struggle to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, and to not become distracted by the passing concerns and things of this world. But if you are aware of what can, and does, interfere with your walk with Him, with His help you can begin to take the necessary actions to prevent them.
Remember, seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33).
God is the most prized possession of us all. We cannot ignore him for worldly things. Now that we have identified the biggest things distracting us from God, we need to improve. These things are necessary for life but not as much as God. Make sure you take out time to pray.
Father, In the Name of Jesus
We decree and declare that the listener is focused and they are not distracted from what You have instructed them to do in Jesus Name.
No matter how hard the devil tries, they will not take their eyes off their goals and plans.
We decree and declare that they will not stop pursuing what You have told them to do until all has been achieved for Your glory!
They have the power of Christ within them. All things are possible!
We praise and thank You that they have an endless supply of supernatural power to storm through every single distraction.
They will march on and continue to press toward the mark of the prize of the high calling You have for them in Christ Jesus.
We believe and receive everything we have prayed and give You glory in advance for this prayer is answered!
In the wonderful and precious Name of Jesus we pray, amen.
Scripture References
Mark 11:20-25, Colossians 3:2, Proverbs 4:25, Matthew 6:33, Romans 8:5, Philippians 4:8, 1 Corinthians 10:13, Philippians 4:13, John 10:10
IN HIS LOVE
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