Yesterday we looked at how to overcome fear and anxiety with prayer and true belief. Today we will look at our focus.
We need to learn to focus the right way. Satan’s understanding of who we are in Christ is evidenced by his repeated attempts to get us to submit to fear. When we are fully aware of the truth of who we are in Christ, we will not be afraid. The only thing Satan can do is distract us from this truth. He does this by attempting to re-direct our focus from our riches in Christ, onto our seemingly fearful circumstances. Satan knows he can’t rob us of our riches in Christ. So, he lies to us. Making us lose sight of all we have, and all we are in Christ.
Sometimes we may lose sight of this, but God continues to prove Himself faithful in our lives. Remember when the Syrian army surrounded the Israelite’s camp in II Kings 6:15-17? A fear-struck servant came to Elisha with the disheartening news. However, Elisha assured the servant. In verse 16 he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Elisha prayed and instantly the servant’s eyes were opened to see the hills. All around the hillside, it was covered with horses and chariots of fire. The truth was that God had provided the Israelites with more than enough protection from the Syrians. Elisha’s eyes were on what was true, while the servant’s gaze had been distracted by the surrounding enemy. I wonder if the servant would have seen God’s army from the start if he had not allowed the enemy to distract him from what was true.
When struggling with an issue in our life, it’s hard not to focus on the problem. In fact, the most common response is to “try harder,” “learn more,” or “fight, fight, fight!” So, we pour energy, time, and resources, into overcoming the problem. We believe that focusing on the problem will help us overcome the problem.
“If I could just stop eating so much, I could finally lose some weight.”
“If I could just not be so angry, I could stop yelling at my kids.”
Here’s the problem with that thinking: What you focus on organizes your life. Proverbs 23:7a “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:” If you focus on fear, then fear organizes your life. If you focus on overcoming anger, then anger organizes your life. Whatever you focus on will organize your decisions, thinking patterns, and way of life.
Do you remember the “Chinese Finger Trap” toy? I can remember as a kid playing with these. You put your finger in one side and someone puts their finger in the other side. As you each try to pull your finger out, the “trap” tightens making it harder to escape. Your strength makes the problem worse.
The same is true about focusing on our problems–the more we focus on them, the tighter the grip and the harder it is to escape.
So, what’s the answer? Change your focus.
We need to get our focus on others and their needs. Suddenly our problems don’t seem so bad, and they seem to work themselves out.
In Matthew 6, Jesus talks about the struggles we face here on earth and encourages us not to worry. His solution was not to focus on the problems. His solution was to “…seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” Matthew 6:33. Jesus encourages us to focus on God because when we focus on the Kingdom of God, then the Kingdom of God organizes our lives.
So, how do I focus on the Kingdom of God? Here’s what Paul told the Philippians in Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
In Romans 12:2, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
We must change the way we think and renew our minds to gain freedom from anxiety, we must change our focus, and seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness. When we do, then freedom will organize our life!
Ask God to give you a Kingdom focus. I Peter 5:7 “Cast all your cares upon Him for he cares for you”
So, where is your focus today?
