Focus

Happy Monday!  God is GOOD!

Here we are, moving into the second week of January.  How has your year started?  Was it on a positive note, ready to accomplish new things and hopefully, to help others accomplish something.  Maybe help them find their faith or build it.  Maybe to find YOUR faith or build it.

No matter how it may have started, how do you want the year to end?  Are there specific goals you have in mind?  I, personally, do not do New Year’s resolutions, but I do try to assess where I have been and where I am going.  Sometimes, mental, physical and emotional challenges drag you down and it quickly takes a toll on your body.  That has happened to me in recent months.  And you know what?  The responsibility for that lies totally within me.  Had I kept my focus where it should’ve been (on God), had I kept my faith where it should have been (in God), and leaned less on MY understanding (on ME), the toll wouldn’t have been as profound.

This past week has been a reminder of where I need to keep my focus.  God is ever faithful and always there.  If He isn’t, it’s because I have stepped away.  Have you stepped away?  Where is your focus?  Is your glass half empty or is it half full?  What we put in our hearts and minds is what will come out.  It’s how other people will see us.  My prayer every single day is that when people see me, they will see the love of God coming from within.

Many of you have seen the following commentary before, and will likely see it again.  I just think we need a reminder to know where we want to be and then look up!  You know He is just waiting for you to ask!

I love you and God loves the most!

Pray Unceasingly!!

Lois

 

Focus – Chapter 6

“It is the loss of focus that causes many people to cycle through hopeful starts and many failed stops, as other things vie for their attention.” (P. 185)

Your brain – In a world where so many distractions compete for your attention, it is more important than ever to stop the busyness in your head and focus on God’s plan and priorities for your life.  The bottom line is that whatever gets your attention, gets you.

Stress – Brief surges can be normal/beneficial and motivate us.  Chronic stress harms the brain.  What we can do: 1. Pray on a regular basis  2. Learn to delegate  3. Listen to soothing music  4. Consider aromatherapy, in your bath or in the room  5. Take a calming supplement – B vitamins, L-Theanine, GABA  6. Laugh more!

Renew your mind – Think on God’s character:  God is powerful, God is love, God is all knowing, God is merciful, God is faithful.

Is it true? – It’s little lies that take over our minds and rule our thoughts.  (I have no control, It is my genetics, I can’t eat healthy when traveling, etc., etc.)  Do you see the pattern?  Is it really TRUE?

We distort our thoughts with overgeneralization – Always, never, every time, every one…. Immediate negative effect on our mind.

Predicting the future – Predicting the worst in a situation causes an immediate sense of anxiety, which can trigger cravings for sugar or refined carbs and make you want to eat to calm your nerves.

Blame – When you blame something or someone else for problems in your life, you become a victim of circumstances, as though you can’t do anything to change the situation.

Denial – These thoughts prevent you from seeing the truth.

Focusing on the negative – It takes a positive experience and taints it.

Gratitude – Bring your attention to things you are grateful for!  Thessalonians 5:16-18  Write down things you are grateful for.  Do this continuously!  (Journal!)

The B Stuff – We are not controlled by events or people, but by the perceptions we make of them.

Perception is the way we interpret ourselves and the world around us.

Our perception of the outside world is based on our inside world.

Our perceptions are one of the largest influences on what dictates our behavior.

“Life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it”  Charles Swindoll

Do you see yourself as the child of God you are, dearly loved by the one who gave his life for you (John 3:16)?

Just questioning your thoughts and perceptions and then filtering them through a loving God and honest mind will make a huge difference in your life, happiness and health.  P. 211-212

Attitude and Purpose

 Another critical “Focus” strategy is your attitude toward failure.  On The Daniel Plan YOU CANNOT FAIL – because you start it as a 40 day journey and then get to see changes gradually unfold over your lifetime.  Setbacks and comebacks are part of the journey, and graciousness must be a part of both.

When you make a mistake, just make a u-turn.

 Change occurs in steps – God uses failure to educate us.  Mistakes are simply learning experiences, and there are some things we learn only through failure.  P. 213-214

Be purpose driven – Seeing success in your mind makes it more likely to happen – as does seeing failure.  (P. 216 – The Daniel Plan 40 Days to a Healthier Lifestyle)

Smart goals – Make SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-Bound)  Consider this as spiritual discipline.

Make Specific goals – What, Why, Who, Where, and Which.  Identify the difference  between pressures and priorities; activity and achievement; urgent and important.  You need to know what matters most. P. 218-219

Know your motivation – In order to get and stay healthy, it is critical for you to know why  it is important.  What drives your desire to be healthy?

Is it because it is God’s will for you to take care of your body?

Is it because you are in pain or tired of feeling sick, lethargic, forgetful, and not anywhere near your best?

Is it because you want to feel healthy and vibrant to live out your purpose, to do the work you love, to be with the people you care about, or to see your grandchildren grow up?

Is it because you want to prevent illnesses that may run in your family, such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease or Alzheimer’s disease?  P. 220-221

Write down your motivation and look at it daily.

Brain power and action – A hallmark of intelligence and what separates us from other animals is our ability to think about the consequences of our behavior before acting on impulse.

Be careful what you think, because your thoughts run your life!  (See Proverbs 4:23)  Replace any negative thought with one of God’s truths.  Reflect on His promises and the plans He has for you to prosper.

Just FOCUS!