FOCUS

“You can focus on what’s missing from your life, or you can focus on the blessings that already exist in this moment.”            —Panache Desai

 

I recently came across this quote that I thought held wisdom to share. It brought me encouragement and went along with a conversation I had with a friend this week.

 

Maybe your children moved away as they began their adult lives.

Maybe you are unable to perform certain household repairs because of the natural aging process.

Maybe you can’t do the ministries you are used to because of physical limitations.

Maybe the program you thought you were supposed to be involved in did not work out.

 

Isn’t it more important, especially when you feel something is missing in your life, that you change your mind set to focus on the blessings that already exist in your life? An attitude of gratitude can help us dwell on the blessings that we have in our lives rather than focus on what is missing. Isn’t that what God wants us to do?

 

Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. –1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NLT)

God wants us to be joyful. We can be joyful in times of adversity because we know God is bigger than our circumstances. Joy is not dependent on our circumstances. We are told to pray and be thankful in all circumstances because of Jesus in our lives. That provides encouragement for us to focus on the blessings that God provides rather than to focus on what we think is missing in our lives.

 

 

Photo courtesy of BK under Creative Commons License (CC BY-SA 2.0)

 

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.  –2 Corinthians 10:5  (NIV)

This passage shows us the importance of our thoughts and what we focus on. Our focus should be on being obedient to Christ and His word as we live our daily lives. They give us the direction and wisdom we need to focus on the most important things.  

 

Focus on seeing those in your life who are like family to you.

Focus on coming to terms with the fact that everything has a season and a time.

Focus on finding the form of ministry you can do. It might be calling someone weekly to let them you know you care.

Focus on trusting that the Lord’s will is being carried out in your life, not necessarily your will.

 

Be encouraged this week knowing that…

…your life is in God’s hands.

…God’s plan is sovereign.

…you can trust God is working through all your circumstances.

…God provides what you need when you need it.

…God’s purposes will be fulfilled in and through your life, not necessarily yours.

…the blessings outweigh the losses in your life.

 

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. —Ephesians 3:20-21 (ESV)