Keeping Focus In Hard Times
by Elder Paulette Harper Johnson
"Distractions are designed to derail us, to sidetrack us, and to redirect our attention-ultimately causing us to miss our mark. Distractions can create the illusion of being important issues, but in reality they aren't? they're merely illusions. A distraction can be anything from a previous issue resurfacing to perhaps an old boyfriend, girlfriend or business acquaintance fighting to recapture your focus. Have you ever experienced a former acquaintance calling you from out of nowhere? These kinds of distractions can trigger an emotional imbalance, causing you to entertain thoughts that are far from the truth. Distractions will take your focus from what God is doing, causing confusion."
Excerpt from "Completely Whole"
We are all guilty of allowing distractions to get our attention, especially in hard times. In times of great pressure, life's challenges, and difficulties is sometimes more of a task to stay committed and focused on your goals, visions, and dreams. It is a guarantee that everyone will face some type of storm, test, or trial. I have been challenged many times, particularly when I have believed God was telling me to do something. The moment I took a step of faith and acted on the Word, all opposing forces began to surface. People not only questioned me, but I begin to question, "Had I really heard from the Lord?" What looked impossible to the naked eye was in reality an opportunity for God to show up! Have you been there? Distractions will come; dream killers will arise; and vision haters will try to discourage you.
Nehemiah faced the same opposition when he decided to rebuild the walls in Jerusalem.
"And said to the king, Let the king live forever! Why should I not be sad faced when the city, the place of my fathers' sepulchers, lies waste, and its [fortified] gates are consumed by fire?"
When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, heard this, it distressed them exceedingly that a man had come to inquire for and require the good and prosperity of the Israelites.
Then I told them of the hand of my God which was upon me for good, and also the words that the king had spoken to me. And they said, Let us rise up and build! So they strengthened their hands for the good work (Nehemiah 2:3, 10, 18).
Just as Nehemiah spoke to Sanballat, Horonite, and Tobiah by declaring and decreeing what God was going to do, so shall you do the same. Continue building and stay committed to what God has placed in your Spirit. When God has called you to do something large, expect opposition, haters, and those who will try to get you to come off the wall. Stay focused and continue to plant, write, sow, preach, and build for surely what God has called you to do shall be completed! May what others say push and drive you to succeed.
Elder Paulette Harper Johnson
is
a speaker, mentor and the author of Completely Whole and That Was Then,
This Is Now. She serves in ministry with her husband, Sr. Pastor Tony
E. Johnson, at Word of Faith Worship Center in Bradenton and North Port
FL.
© 2012 Paulette Harper Johnson. Find out more about her ministry visit: http://pauletteharper.com
