Shift Your Focus

I was talking to one of my brothers who was doing a 3-day fast. He said the purpose of the fast was to hear God’s audible voice. During his fast, I asked him if he’d been praying about a situation that he told me about months before the fast. He said, “Honestly, I haven’t been thinking about that. My focus has only been on hearing God’s audible voice.” That shook me because the situation I brought up was a crucial one that concerned him before. I realized that my focus had shifted too. I wasn’t worried about certain things that had worried me before God called me to this current assignment for His kingdom. 

My brother also said he felt numb and content about everything. He said the feeling was indescribable. Immediately, I knew what he was feeling. He was feeling the peace that surpasses all understanding. Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” 

Because our focus was on God and God’s will, God’s peace guarded our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. There were no anxious thoughts or worries. Verse 8 continues by saying “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” 

Pondering on the things mentioned in verse 8 leaves no room for worry. They bring peace. For my brother, his focus was on God’s voice. For me, mine was on building this website for God’s people. Our worries faded. A circumstance in your life may be present, but so is the LORD. Isaiah 26:3 says, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You.” This verse also speaks about the peace God gives if our focus stays on Him. 

This week, I challenge you to shift your focus from the worries of life. Give your worries to Him (1 Peter 5:7). Worry and faith cannot co-exist. You can have one or the other, but you cannot have both. Whatever God is doing in your life or wants you to do, redirect your focus toward that. Remember to put Him first and experience the peace that follows.