OVERCOMING DISTRACTIONS

Overcoming Distractions

 

Distractions. The world is full of them. They are everywhere. From the moment you open your eyes in the morning till the time you lay your head to rest on your comfy pillow at night, distractions are right there screaming for your attention to stop you in your tracks from completing the assignment in front of you. 

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The definition of “distraction” is something that draws you apart, pulls in a different direction, diverts, fills with different considerations, to harass with cares. 

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I read somewhere where it said “Distraction is not defeated in a few fell blows, but by many small, habitual ones.” This statement is so true. We are going to run into distractions and sometimes get drawn away by them, but it’s those continued, habitual ones that distract us from the main thing. The same goes in our spiritual life. The devil will distract us with things and people to draw and pull us in other directions, or any other direction that leads us away from the plan of God in our lives. And I’ve learned that sometimes these distractions can be “good things,” but they just aren’t the things God has planned for us. We all have been distracted at one point in our lives. And it’s how we react to those distractions that come into our lives. 

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• When was the last time you were distracted from doing something God instructed you to do? 

• How did you handle it?

• What distractions does the devil use when you decide to take time to pray and read your word? 

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Distractions are one of the most frequently used devices that the devil uses against us believers to distract us from following the will of God. While it is inevitable that we will become distracted in life, it is most important that we remember to stay focused on God and His ways. We do this by studying God’s word and praying that the Holy Spirit will teach you and guide you. Is there anything in your life right now that is distracting you from God? 

If so, Let me share with you 4 ways to Overcome Distractions…

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1. Keep looking unto Jesus

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Hebrews 12:1-2 – “Therefore, since we also have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let’s rid ourselves of every obstacle and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking only at Jesus, the originator and perfecter of the faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

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The secret of overcoming distractions is in this phrase, “looking only at Jesus.” When we look unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith, the perfecter of our faith, we can overcome anything. Storms and difficulties 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. Do you remember that story? The story where Jesus walks on water. 

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Read Mak 6:45-56 

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But can you imagine missing a miracle as incredible as that one? Don't allow distractions to take your eyes off Jesus. Keep your eyes straight ahead, ignore all sideshow distractions. Ignore the monstrous waves that are trying to pound your life to make you give up and distract you. When we take our eyes off Jesus we give Satan the opportunity to distract us and leave us feeling hopeless and depressed. One way to stay focused on Jesus is to constantly remind ourselves of His past miracles and of the ways He has brought us through storms in the past, and to praise Him alone the way. Make a deliberate decision to keep your eyes on Jesus, and Jesus alone. Because remember, Jesus always has His eyes on us.

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Let’s Reflect: (write your answers down in your journal)

 

• When was a time you can remember when the storm you were in distracted you from recognizing Jesus?

• What is one way you can better prepare your heart to be in a position that allows you to see the miracles even in the midst of a storm or rough season?

 

Take a moment and reflect on past miracles that you’ve seen God perform in your life or in the lives around you. Celebrate and remember those miracles to open your eyes to the miracles God could perform in the future.

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2. Make a Bible Study/Prayer a Commitment

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Philippians 4:6-7 – “Be anxious for nothing, 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 comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

 

Staying consistent in our bible study and prayer life can be a challenge for anyone. Many times, we struggle to stay focused on studying the Bible or in our prayer time. But we have to understand that time in God’s word and in prayer are very critical in our walk with God. God’s word is one way that God speaks to us. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says  “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” Whatever we are needing or desiring God’s Word is the answer. The Word of God will lead us in the right direction when distractions try to veer us off God’s path for our lives. We know that distractions are unavoidable in life, no matter what age you are. There is always something to pull our focus from what we are trying to do to something else, especially when we want to get into God’s word or prayer. Our phone rings, we get social media notifications, kids are acting up, something breaks at home that needs immediate attention, you get sleepy, etc, I can go on and on. Even the most disciplined person can be found staring into the distance, daydreaming about something when they are in the middle of the Bible study time or prayer time. 

 

I’ve learned that engaging actively during my “Jesus & me” time helps in overcoming distractions. When I just sit and open up my bible and start reading wherever, I find myself getting bored and distracted by anything. But when I make a plan to carve out time in my day to sit and study God’s word and to pray, I find myself more active and engaged and excited in what I am reading. I love writing, so I try to write as much as I can. I write my scriptures down, prayers down, bible studies down, words that God gives me I write down. And when I do, it’s like my mind is less likely to wander off in outer space because my mind is focused on something, on God’s word! 

 

 

Let’s Reflect: (write your answers down in your journal)

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• Are you easily distracted when you read the Bible or in prayer?

• How do I avoid distractions in my Bible time and prayer?

• How do I pray against distractions?

• What does the bible say about distractions?

 

 

3. Remove Distractions 

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1 John 2:15-16 – “Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.”

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Sin is all over the place, and Satan is the ultimate craftsman when it comes to creating distractions that prevent us from seeing God at work in our life. Satan loves to use distractions to take our eyes off our Maker, Jesus! He knows that if we are distracted, then he can come in and steal, kill, and destroy our lives. In my walk with God I’ve learned that if you want to be less distracted in our spiritual walk, we must examine our life and see if there is anything in us that is not pleasing to God. We must see if we have any worldly influences in us and we must remove them. We must remove every distraction from our life so we can see our path to Jesus clearly. 

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There are so many things that take up our time and thoughts…phones, computers, tv, movies, shopping, sports, family, work, ministries, etc. While family, work and ministry aren’t bad things, they can become distractions when we put all of our focus on them and neglect our quiet time with God. 

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Sometimes distractions can be so loud, that God wants us to just be still and trust Him. “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” Psalm 46:10. He wants us to know that if we trust in Him, put our faith in Him, remove all distractions, He will do what He promised He said He would do. And the only way we can remove distractions is if we give it to God, because we cannot do it on our own. We don’t have the strength to. God will be our strength. 

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Friends, it’s time to be still. It’s time to remove distractions from your life so God can do what He wants to do in and through you. God has a plan for you. He wants to use you. And as long as you just surrender your heart to Him, He will help you do the rest.  Pray and be still until you hear the Lord speak. Then decide what things in your life you can cut loose in order to spend time with God. I guarantee you won’t regret it, and God will bless you! 

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Let’s Reflect: (write your answers down in your journal)

 

• What distraction do you feel is threatening your walk with God?

• What steps can you take to remove that distraction? 

• Is there a next step you’re putting off because you’re waiting for God to prove Himself? 

• How can you take a step of obedience today?

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Hebrews 10:23-25 – “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”

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We were never meant to do this Christian life alone. Even in the Garden, God knew that Adam needed a helper. So, He created Eve. And in the same way, He created the body of Christ, for us to live, function, and fellowship together. Each individually gifted by the Holy Spirit. But sometimes the enemy wants to keep us isolated and distracted from others, especially the body of Christ. A commitment to being part of a local church that faithfully teaches God’s Word will do much to identify and eliminate the distractions in our walk with Christ. 

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Now understand this, we can have friendships and relationships with unbelievers, but true Christian fellowship can ONLY occur within the body of Christ. And because the Bible tells us, what does darkness and light have in common?  True Christian fellowship sharpens one another’s faith and stir one another to exercise that faith in love and good works, all to God’s glory, something that we cannot have with an unbeliever.  

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Being part of the body of Christ means we are a part of something bigger than ourselves, and if we don't play our specific part, the mission of the church is impacted. And when we are involved in an area of the church, it helps keep us from being distracted from the world. I’ve learned and experienced that fruit that is not connected to a vine dies. Jesus says when we are connected to Him it’s like being attached to a vine. He is the vine, we are the branches. Being connected with the church helps us be accountable. We are encouraged, equipped and empowered to walk in our God-given purpose. It helps us to take our focus off self, and focus on God and others. We are not easily distracted because we are connected to other believers in Christ. We are meant to worship together, to encourage one another in our beliefs, to study God’s word together, and we serve one another. And we serve because of what God’s done, and the more we serve, the more God does. That’s why being connected to other believers, and serving others is so, so amazing!

 

 

Let’s Reflect: 

 

 

1. What benefits do you receive by being part of a church?

2. Why are small groups important for your spiritual growth?

3. How does being connected with other believers help overcome our distractions? 

4. Have you been distracted by something that has caused you to become isolated from the body of Christ or your sisters in Christ? 

 

 

Quick principles on how to finish successfully. 

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• Whatever you do, do it with all your heart. (Nehemiah 4:6, Colossians 3:23-24)

• Put on the full armor of God. (Ephesians 6:11)

• Pray without ceasing. (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

• Trust God with all your heart. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

• Trust God for success. (Nehemiah 2:20)

• Trust that God is thwarting the plans of the enemies. (Nehemiah 4:15)