What Are You Focusing On?

"Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2)

Life is never without issues; we can use them to help us grow spiritually or hinder and even be detrimental to our relationship with God. Where is your focus? Is it on the mountain of issues surrounding you? Or is it on our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ?

What do you focus on when trouble hits? What you focus on is what you are exalting. Have you thought of it that way? Your focus, if not God, can become your heart's idol and treasure.

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Luke 12:34)

I have had a lot of things hit the past few months, family issues, house and financial issues, and health issues. I had a knee replacement, and the pain has been excruciating, and the healing process to get my new knee working the way it should has been long. I have not been able to do the things I used to do, and the pain from either sitting or standing too long gets me frustrated. The other surrounding issues, I have to admit, have had my focus on the issues and not Jesus.

Then, I heard a message followed by another one in my devotional book, which set my heart straight, and I had to repent of losing my focus.

Our Lord promises to "Never leave us nor forsake us." The Bible also says that He is "Faithful to all of His promises and loving toward all He has made." (Psalm 145:13)

With the painful death, He died for all of us, for our sins, that is proof enough of His love. We can trust Him. Turning your focus back in the right direction is not hard, and it is just a prayer away.

Has your focus been on the issues instead of Jesus? You can set it right today. Just pray, ask Him to help you. He is faithful and waiting; He will encourage you and help you to get your focus back on Him.

"Let your eyes look straight ahead, And your eyelids look right before you." (Proverbs 4:25)

When trouble hits, turn your focus on the Lord and all the many promises He has given us in the Bible. Speak them out and speak out these words, "I trust you, Jesus." Speak them over and over until your heart and your spirit are calm. There is power in the name of Jesus, and the power of life and death is in the tongue. Use your words to bring life, not death. Speak the name of Jesus to bring peace to your spirit. He is the Prince of Peace.

When you do this, a calmness will fill your heart and spirit, telling you that everything is going to be okay. Jesus will never fail you, but deliver and provide for you, and answer your prayers.

When you focus on Him, seek Him first, He will take care of the rest, and as you get through this, it will help you to grow spiritually, and your faith will grow as well.

"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." (Matthew 6:33)