In this post, I will be sharing something that God put on my heart at the beginning of the year, and I pray it encourages you as you continue to seek God for his leading and guidance.
After my usual morning prayers, I felt the Holy Spirit impressing on my heart the need to be aware of distractions. My natural response to this was to assume that distractions had to be from social media. I thought maybe I watched too many movies or spent too much time on Instagram. God knows I love a good TikTok scroll after a long workday.
However, as time went by, I realized there’s more to distractions than just what we watch and how we spend our time as believers. There are hidden distractions that may not be so obvious to some of us.
We all have a purpose and plan that God has placed on every one of us. However, we need to be careful of the tricks and schemes of the enemy that aim to distract us from God’s plan for our lives. As John 10:10 reminds us, “The enemy comes to steal, to kill, and destroy”; he wants to steal what God has placed upon our lives by distracting us with things that only pull us away from God. This could be distractions of worry, doubt, anger, resentment, self-will, fear, offense, and so much more.
Distractions are anything that takes our eyes off of Jesus and causes us to focus on the things around us. Distractions only clutter our minds, making us busy and overwhelmed, causing us to miss out on the most vital moments in life, such as hearing from God and communing with Him. Hebrews 12:1-2 NLT reminds us:
Dear friend, what is the weight that is slowing you down? What sin easily trips you up and distracts you from what God has called you to do? Is it fear of failure? Is it an offense you are carrying from an aunt who disappointed you years ago, and distracting you from living in the freedom of forgiveness? Are you too focused on the next season of life that you are missing out on what God is doing right now? Is it the busyness of life that keeps you from spending time with God and truly resting?
In the parable of the sower, the third example is about the seeds that fell among thorns, and as the thorns sprang up, it choked the seeds that were growing. Jesus explains that these are people who hear the word, but the word gets choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life. Luke 8:4-15 NLT
Distractions do exactly that, they choke the word of God out of our lives, leaving us trying to figure things out on our own, instead of relying on the power of God. Distractions keep us from walking in the fullness and abundance that Christ has given us.
Friends, we have such a merciful and loving Father who is so patient with us, waiting for us to seek him first above all else. And when we do, all other things will be added unto us.
I pray that God will direct you and strengthen you as you seek him in your life. Jeremiah 29:13 says When we seek God, he will be found.
Thank you so much for making it this far. Can I ask for a favor? If this encouraged you, please share it with someone who needs to read it. And if you feel led, leave a comment. I will love to hear from you, and I promise to respond.
Till next time, God bless you.
