3 Simple Ways to Refocus on God
To tell you the truth, I sometimes get caught up in myself.
I have been fighting this crazy throat infection for the past month and have been very ill, tired, weak, lost, and feeling just exhausted. But like most of us, I have to drag myself to school, continue striving for the best, and praying to the man upstairs for some peace of it all.
see what I am talking about? all about me.
It is very easy to get so caught up in your own life and forget that God is a God who wants to be focused on. He wants to be spoken to and praised. He wants to be heard. But God is a gentlemen, He isn't just going to barge in without knocking or being invited. YOU have to let Him in.
"But God is a gentlemen, He isn't just going to barge in without knocking or being invited."
But maybe the question isn't about you wanting to let Him in or not, maybe it is just that simple. We just do not know how. Here are 3 simple ways to refocus back on God when life seems to begin to revolve around you.
1. Surrender. God is not asking us to give up our lives, our experiences, our dream boyfriend/girlfriend. He is simply asking that we would surrender our heart to Him, and make Him our top priority. Surrendering to Him is saying, "Okay, Lord, I know I am broken and imperfect. I know that I cannot go on without you, so I am giving it all to you." In James 4:8 it says,"Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you." If we choose to go forth with God, He will be beside us, behind us, and in front of us every step of the way. Surrender.
2. Listen. While surrendering is not easy, this part is not necessarily a walk in the park either. Sometimes, we feel like we are waiting, waiting, and waiting for God to strike us with a lightening bolt. We are complaining, whining, boasting, or stressing over the small things and not focusing on God's voice in the matter because "We just cannot hear Him." That is not true at all. God is all around us, speaking and helping us through our struggles, sometimes though we are not truly listening to His help. We like to take control and sit in pity over ourselves. God is the complete opposite. He wants to take the tough stuff out of our hands and say, "I can handle this for you. Just let me. Listen to me." Listening takes obedience and strength. It takes moments when we are feeling so weak, to give up our worries, but it also takes so much courage to let Him have them. Try going into your room, closing the door, sitting, and praying for God to reveal Himself. Let Him take over the conversation, stay quiet, and listen.
James 1:19 says, "Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger." Let's try this together.
3. Set your eyes on things above. Lastly, finding the truth in everyday life. Lies surround us day in and day out. Setting our eyes on things above, is not just choosing to love God and go to church every once in a while. It is finding the truth that God says about all of us and clinging to that. "But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8 Oh what a beautiful love that He offers. No matter what mistake you have made, no matter the boyfriends/girlfriends you have dated, no matter how far you have gone with somebody, or how much you talked about your so called "best friend", He still loved you and sent His only son to die for you. YOU just have to believe it. Do not live in your past mistakes, do not live with guilt or shame. He has washed you clean. Set that on your heart and don't let it go. Even if the devil says, you are defined by that mistake, you dated the wrong person, no one will ever love you since you went that far, you are a liar and not a good best friend. EVEN THEN. Trust that the devil loves to steal, kill, and destroy you and your relationship with God. Cling to what you know that God says about you. "Nothing will ever be able to separate you from Christ's love." Romans 8:38 Cling to the truth.
Do not live in your past mistakes, do not live with guilt or shame. He has washed you clean. Set that on your heart and don't let it go.
We all are human. We make mistakes, get off track with God, and sometimes find ourselves lost in a never ending cycle. It is hard to come back to God after feeling as though you have disappointed Him or made Him upset. That though, is a thought from the devil. The Lord, understands we want to live life, and make mistakes. He understands that earthly temptations are hard to get away from. All He ask is for your heart. The moment when you say God, "Help me refocus on You." is the moment He has been waiting on. Because you know what he was so ready to tell you, I bet you can guess.
"I never stopped focusing on You. I have missed you, child. I love you. Welcome Home."
"Welcome Home."
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Dear Jesus,
Thank you for welcoming me home. I know I am so imperfect and get slightly off track with you sometimes, but thank you for being so consistent with me and for never leaving my side. I pray that You will just reveal yourself to me and in time, my heart will begin to align with yours. Help me to surrender my life to you, listen for your voice, and set my eyes on things above. Help me to encourage others to begin to refocus their lives to you. You are so worthy of all the praise. In your name, Amen.
Hello, Riley here! If this blog truly spoke to you, I would love to know. DM me @thelightinart or just comment on one of my old photos, "I am Home".
