How do I deal with distractions?

Matthew 19:13-15One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could lay his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him. But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.” And he placed his hands on their heads and blessed them before he left.

Mark 10:17As Jesus was starting out on his way to Jerusalem, a man came running up to him, knelt down, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

Distractions bombarded Jesus all the time. But he didn’t see them all as distractions; he saw some as opportunities to rescue or help someone. When someone needs you, a distraction can become a divine opportunity to show someone the love and care of God. Sometimes God interrupts us for a good reason. Don’t miss the chance to focus on the people God brings to you for help.

Acts 16:29-32The jailer called for lights and ran to the dungeon and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household.” And they shared the word of the Lord with him and with all who lived in his household.

Most people would look at a jail sentence as a definite distraction to their ability to serve God. Not Paul and Silas! Their location didn’t stop them from their mission. They were doing a great ministry around the world; now it was confined to a small room with a very small audience. God seemed to be just fine with that. Instead of pushing away the distraction, Paul and Silas embraced it! Sometimes a distraction seems as restricting as a jail cell. Maybe God wants you to focus for a while on what and who is right in front of you. Your distraction may be a calling from God to minister to new people in a new place.

Romans 12:2Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Hebrews 12:13Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.

Some distractions are clearly bad for us; they take our focus off what we should be doing. We need to learn to discern between a distraction that should refocus our attention and one that should not. If a distraction is mainly about us (tempting us to do wrong, shirking a commitment to have fun) then it is probably not a good thing. If a distraction is mainly about others (helping someone in deep need, providing a teachable moment) then it is usually a good thing. If you set clear goals for how you will serve God and manage your day and then follow those goals with focus, you will be less tempted to get sidetracked by harmful distractions.

Acts 6:3-4“And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility. Then we apostles can spend our time in prayer and teaching the word.”

Stay focused on what you do well, and learn to delegate to others tasks they can do as well as you—or better.

Psalm 119:157Many persecute and trouble me, yet I have not swerved from your laws.

Daniel 6:13Then they told the king, “That man Daniel, one of the captives from Judah, is ignoring you and your law. He still prays to his God three times a day.”

Don’t be distracted, even by good things, if they take you away from what you know you should be doing or what you know is right.

Philippians 3:13No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead.

Don’t let your past drag you down; that can be very distracting. Focus your energies on what God has done for you and what you can do for God and others now and in the future.

Psalm 66:9Our lives are in his hands, and he keeps our feet from stumbling.

Keep your eyes fixed on the Lord. If we don’t constantly stay focused on God, we let down our guard and make it easier for the world to distract our hearts and minds. We also make it easier for Satan to distract us with sin.

Proverbs 4:12When you walk, you won’t be held back; when you run, you won’t stumble.

Constantly seek wisdom from God, who will help you be discerning between what is a distraction and what is not.