Training Your Focus

Through [Jesus] then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.

Hebrews 13:15 ESV

If you’re a problem solver, it’s likely you can easily spot a lack. Sometimes what we do not have, who we are not, and where we have not yet arrived stand out like glaring red lights, telling us where to train our focus. The challenge here, my friends, is to put those nots where they belong—far behind the things we do have in Christ. Focusing on what you do have may take more effort, but that exercise is well worth the effort.

Today make a list of all that you have to be grateful for. Far from a mere mind trick or positive thinking, this practice will help you appreciate what you have right where you are—and then you will experience God’s grace, peace, and contentment. Savor those quiet moments with your Lord.

Today, try developing the daily habit of giving thanks to God for all the blessings, opportunities, and answered prayers before you go to Him with all your needs—and that is definitely not our natural inclination! Have hope that your focus can be retrained, because you really can choose to focus on the good things.

God, I retrain my focus and learn to see the good in my life first, because Your powerful Spirit is transforming me. Thank You for making me more like Jesus.