Colossians 3:1-4 – “Therefore, if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. ² Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. ³ For you died and your life has been hidden with Christ in God. ⁴ When Christ, who is our life, is manifested, then you also will be manifested with Him in glory.”

Let us discuss the subject of “Focus.”  What we Focus on affects our faith and forms or transforms our life view. What we focus on is reflected in our words and actions.

If we focus on Jesus and His finished work on the Cross, our hearts sing with jubilation because we know He defeated the devil totally. We know He disarmed the powers of darkness and triumphed over them. We know He opened the door to salvation and victorious life in the present and eternity. We are Free! We are Victorious!

When difficulties arise, and problems abound, what do we instinctively do? Most would say, “I turn to the LORD.”  

• If that is true, then why do our words contain elements of fear or doubt?
• If that is true, why do we focus on the problem rather than the problem solver? 
• If that is true, then why do those difficulties occupy so much of our thinking?

What we focus on affects our faith and either builds or weakens it. If we focus on the problem rather than the promise and problem solver, we empower the problem. It is not mind over matter or simply speaking something that makes it happen—it is genuine, linking our hearts to His heart and allowing His faith to overflow in our hearts.      

Most believe that Jesus overcame the devil.  The question is, “Do we genuinely believe we have?”  If we are IN Him and He is abiding IN us, we have been granted authority over all the enemy’s power.  

I have discovered that when my focus is wrong, my speaking, thinking, and actions will also be wrong. I have found that when I speak to myself in Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs, making melody in my heart and focusing on Him, His Promises, Provisions, Person, and Power, my focus changes, and my faith is strengthened.  David encouraged himself in the LORD, and so should we.

I recommend that every day, you find a passage of scripture that contains a promise of God that addresses a need or condition in your life and meditate on it.  Once that promise takes root in your heart, you embrace it and instinctively trust that Word, add to it another and another until you have filled your heart and mind with Him!  If we are full of Jesus and our focus becomes God and His Word, we will find it easier to deal with difficulty. Our expectations will change, our faith will become solid, we will discover the ways of the Lord, and His guidance will become clear.

Make a conscious decision today to rejoice regardless!  Decide to be joyful when all is well and when nothing is well.  But, in Everything, Give Thanks! Commit to making Jesus your focus!  You will be amazed how difficult it becomes to doubt as you behold Him in your heart! As you see the Finished Work of the Cross, you will find it impossible to doubt. We take our burdens to the altar and pray, then pick them up and go out into the day. STOP IT! Leave it there!

May the Lord of Hosts guard and guide you throughout this day!