Adjust Your Focus, Change The Outcome!!!

What happens when you take your eyes off of God and focus more on your problems or current circumstances? Have you ever contemplated the notion that by focusing on your problems, or negative situations, you may be adding to your problems? I started out with these questions today because it’s definitely a lesson I had to learn. In life, things happen that are unexpected and out of our control. While, at the time, it’s unfortunate when bad things come our way; over the years, I’ve learned that how you handle it, or respond to whatever you’re going through can determine how you’ll get through it. Allow me to paint a scene for you and explain it using this quick story.

“About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!” But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here! ” Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” “Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?” When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped.” (Matthew‬ ‭14:25-32‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

With everything that’s been going on lately with my health, my family and in my personal life, I find solace in knowing that if I keep my focus on God, and not on my circumstances, I have peace. That’s the whole point of this story with Peter. Had he kept his focus on The Lord and not on the bad weather/ things that was happening around him, he would’ve been able to stay afloat and walk directly towards Jesus. However, just like many of us, he got side tracked. He started thinking the troubling storm around him was bigger than God, and as a result, he began to sink. This is exactly how fear works. Although we have nothing to be afraid of, when we start thinking about all the wrong things going on in our lives, we can’t see the right way to go. In the story with Peter, the right way to go was forward, focusing solely on God instead of his circumstances.

Below, I’ve put together a short list of things that I’ve found quite helpful in keeping me on the right track, staying positive and focused on my faith in God and my purpose in life. Anytime the enemy tried to convince me that God forgot about me, that He was not listening to me, or that The Lord would not see my dreams fulfilled, I do these five (5) things:

Look at positive affirmations that I’ve decorated my bedroom walls with and that I keep as my background screen saver on my phone.

Read and recite uplifting scriptures and positive mantras over my life. (Ex. “Be strong. Be proud. Be what you love. You can do all things through Christ that strengthens you.”)

Pray and write about everything that’s on my mind: the good and the bad.

Remind myself of the blessings God has already provided for me.

Remind myself of the calling on my life and what God has shown me so far and has spoken to me.

In doing these things, it keeps me from turning back to darkness. It keeps me from sinking into the dark seas of depression and despair. Keeping my focus on The Lord helps me stand tall and gives me the strength I need to keep rowing full steam ahead. Even when I feel like I can’t trace nor see God working on my behalf, I’ve learned that keeping my focus on Him, and my purpose in life, is far better than focusing on negativity and my current state of affairs.

The whole point in today’s message is about not losing your faith and focus as a result of the storms that are / may be coming your way. You can’t control life. You can’t control the ups and downs of the waves of chaos and order. You can’t even control how many crew members will stick around to help you row through the storm. All you can do, the only control you have, is over yourself and how you weather the storm. Staying calm with a clear level head in difficult situations leads to a better outcome than panicking and fear. Telling yourself, “I will make it through this storm,” is far better than believing that your life is over because the storm came your way.

Although things are not going according to my plans right now, and my health has been under attack, I’m not letting my current circumstances get me down. I didn’t go through the last three years of hell just to break down today. I’m not letting all of the current attacks from the enemy shelter my praise. Peter didn’t let his confusion, or moment of need, taint his praise either. As you saw, once he realized he couldn’t do things on his own, he called out to The Lord for help. That’s the #MajorKeyAlert here! Even though you might waver in your faith, or get tossed around, or bothered by the wind surrounding you, calling out to God in the midst of the storm helps you get through and survive it because He’s the only one that can calm the storm.

No matter how many storms are hitting your lifeboat, know that your help comes from The Lord. No matter what’s going on in your life, keep a praise in your mouth, put your nose into the Good Book (the Bible), set your eyes on The Lord, and maintain positive thoughts. Allow God’s peaceful presence and perfect instruction to get you through the storm(s). That soft voice that you hear deep down inside of you, steering you clear from danger and down the right path is God. Listen to it. Accept it. Embrace it. Learn from it. Let it use you and help you see your fullest potential. Though every day isn’t going to be a good day, I’ve learned that in changing my perspective on things, as well as staying focused on what God says about who I am and my purpose in life, keeps me afloat from falling backwards into the sea of despair and darkness. I believe it will do the same for you, if you just give it a try.

So, as you can see, in life storms may come your way. It’s up to you to learn how to take the good with the bad. No matter how ugly it gets, keep hope alive and stay focused on God and your dreams / goals. If you don’t, you’ll feel yourself starting to sink and fall, all because you took your eyes off the target. I encourage you today to keep focused on God’s voice and His word. Don’t let negativity nor the enemy’s attacks outshine the light that comes from God. I hope this message resonates with you and that it helps you to know that you’re not alone. We are all human and in this thing together. I’m here walking this faith thing out with you every single day, pressing forward through the attacks and negativity that the enemy tries to send my way. Just like Peter, we must stay focused on The Lord and know that when we fall, we can always call out to The Lord for help. God loves His children and will ensure that no harm comes our way. I’ll leave you with this personal prayer:

Lord, My Heavenly Father, I pray that the person reading this learns to press harder into you. May they turn back, away from the darkness. May they not allow depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts or feelings of failure get them down. Lord, you know I once was in that same place. It was you who got me out, healed me, guided me and delivered me from that dark headspace. I pray whoever reads this stays focused on Your favor and grace Lord, and not on their current trials, storms or circumstances. In Jesus name, I pray, Amen.

Sincerely with love,

~A.G.Rogers

(Follow on Instagram: @AndreaGees)

Travel photography by IG user: @_enk

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