One Way to Stay Focused

Hi to everyone joining me from Encouragement for Today! I’m so glad you’re here.

I knew all too well the chore before me.

Maybe I still haven’t mastered this art, or maybe it happens even to the best of us …

But every time I make spaghetti I burn a rim of hardened sauce around the dish. It clings to the pan, relentless against my efforts. I’ve tried sponges and brushes and a little bit of elbow grease, and they all end up with the same result.

The dish wins.

So over the years I’ve developed a new strategy. Instead of scrubbing and sweating and gritting my teeth, now I walk away.

I know all my type-A girls just cringed at the thought of a messy, burnt, sauce-all-over-the place spaghetti dish just sitting in the sink. But, before your heart rate gets too high, let me explain …

I devised a plan. And my plan calls for one key ingredient: soap.

Not soap on a sponge, we’ve been through that. Eventually my arm tires, and I call it quits. Scrubbing pours time and energy into a battle unlikely to turn out my way.

Instead, I put the soap straight into the dish and turn on the faucet. I watch as the dish disappears beneath a sea of soap suds. Then, I leave.

No time. No will. No work.

After a while I return to find the suds simmered down and beginning to take on the color of the dish. You know how this ends … I dump the dirty water, run a little more hot water through the pan and, Voila!

No sponge. No scrubbing. No problem. Without any help from my hand, the dish sparkles. Clean.

Sometimes my heart can mirror my spaghetti dish. Stuff cakes around the edges and it takes everything I have to simply chip away at the build up.

I wrestle. I worry. I walk around weighed down.

I lose all focus, and no matter how hard I fight to point myself in the right direction, I can’t seem to make a dent in the distraction.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2 (NIV – Emphasis mine)

When soaked in God’s Word, sin softens and strongholds surrender.

Some stains will only let go when they’re soaked. Immersed beneath the cleansing blood of Christ. Hidden behind the power of His Spirit. It may be that the most radical way we can attack a threat to our souls is to be still. Walk away from our own efforts and turn straight towards the presence of God.

Let’s take a few minutes right now, in this moment, to stop scrubbing. Say out loud or whisper silently the things caked heavy on your heart. Then sit still with God and let Him renew your mind.

I’m so thankful for the community God has created here, and I’d love for you to be a part of it. Subscribe today (in the box titled “subscribe” in the left-hand column), and I’ll send you 15 verses I use to renew my mind when I face fear and anxiety.

 

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14 Comments

  1. Im tired of the devil attacking me..Its like he wants to take me out ..Im trying to hear the lord voice .I hope im not to late. I hve done some things in life n I hope it doesn’t mess me up wit God

  4. Thank you so much Katy! I did what you said and I silently named my situations caked on my heart. I don’t even think I realized how caked on they were til the tears just started flowing from my eyes. Continue to speak your words of encouragement. God bless!

  6. Concerning the Oct. 28Th devotion….”Do you ever feel distracted?”
    RAT! THATS SCARY! Usually when I am out of sorts like that Praying into His Presence is essential, but I need someone with skin on to tell me what to do… when there’s nothing else I can do prayer is my only hope. God brings peace I need but I still need answers…I’m just not that smart…

  7. Thank you for sharing! I often wonder – is it really possible to be free. I know it is, but the hits just keep coming, again and again……
    Praise God for your victory(ies)!

  8. My small group has been reading the P31 devotionals while trying to find a study we want to do. So today I read about distractions. I don’t care for small critters (I live in FL, a haven of rest for them) I don’t have a fear. Around here they keep the bad guys out of the house. Safe from harmful critters, spiders and are a source of nutrition (ick) for snakes, which then keep the small critters from coming in the house.
    The devil attacks me daily while trying to finish my thesis. I struggle with procrastination, distraction, self-doubt, perfectionism and lack of motivation. I know God has blessed me in many ways and has provided me for the best situation to complete.
    So your reminder to ‘Stay Alert’ was welcomed. I’m looking forward to getting your favorite 15. Thank you for listening to God.

  10. Okay, I admit it. I’ve been totally overwhelmed since September when school started ( I teach Kindergarten and First grade Special ed classroom.) The intense needs of one of my students has brought my classroom into the spotlight, plus our district is starting a new math program that I need to learn, plus I’m implementing a new computerized reading program that doesn’t quite fit with my teaching philosophies. I identified three other areas that are weighing me down as well. Then I sat and was “still” like this blog suggests. I discovered that two of the areas I am easily able to turn over to God. I already see His hand in these areas and trust that He will continue to provide. The other two problem areas (school and my increasing weight) I tend to hang on to and just work harder and harder to manage. I’m asking God now to take over these areas of my life that I am struggling to control. I hope I can do it!

  12. Hey Katy my name is Maggie just wanted to say I read your prayer from “for a woman trying to do it all” and I needed to reassure myself that I am on the right path, me and my husband just have decided to go separate ways, 14 years of happy and bad moments 3 boys and a dog, and he just decides to say get a job and pay the rent, since he is no longer staying here, I have a part time job and here in west Texas (oil field country) rent is no joke and not everyone works with the oil, I’m okay but I just feel bad for my children but I know with God all is possibly I have a good mother and sister to help me through so I know I will make it! I trust God with his plan! Thanks once again for sharing your encouraging words to all types of women with all types of situations! I’m inspired and I appreciate that God helped us cross paths! May God continue to prosper you and give you the wisdom to share with others! Staying Strong ????????????????

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