Shifting Focus

 I don't know about you, but I know about me. There is a lot going on in this little brain of mine. It seems like my list keeps getting longer and more difficult. It is so easy to get carried away in thoughts and plans, mostly because there is so much that has to be done on any given day (every day). After not getting much sleep at all for the last few nights, it seemed like my list of concerns was long and heavy this morning. It didn't take but a few seconds to feel like I was totally overwhelmed. I knew I had to do something to avoid the long, dark slide into the caregiver's fog.

The first order of most mornings is to get a scripture together for my FaceBook Live devotions, "Peace Out." Honestly, I just didn't feel like it. Then, I told myself that I wasn't going to be talking about me - I'd be talking about God and His word. I encouraged myself to shift my focus off my long list and onto Him. So, I did.

I went to Isaiah 9:6-7. There, I found a list that I could use to replace my growing list. It reminded me that He is wonderful, counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace. I started thinking about these attributes. I needed to be reminded that He is my counselor, my Father, the Prince of Peace, and the Mighty God. From there, it was much easier to shift my thinking into prayer mode. I found myself giving Him my "list" and asking for His counsel, wisdom, and peace for today. 

You know what happened? He met me in that moment. The second I shifted my focus from my problems to the Provider - I started feeling better. Now, of course, my caregiver to-do list didn't get any shorter or less complicated. But my heart was less burdened, and I found His peace in the moment I chose to trust Him with my "stuff."

Today, I will keep bringing my mind back to who He is instead of focusing on all that I am not. I'll look to Him in my inadequacies and remind myself that He is the provider, my father, my counselor, and can give me more peace than I can even comprehend. I may need to remind myself of who He is over and over, but I'm determined to stay focused on Him as I trust Him to carry me through one more day. Will you join me?

                                                                                                                       

Check out my devotional: 31 Days in Psalm 31.

My devotional 31 Days in Psalm 31, is available as an ebook in the Dove's Fire Ministries bookstore. But it's also available in my Amazon store in both print and Kindle formats. Grab a copy today!