Attention – What are we watching, listening, and giving thought to?
There are a lot of things that we give our attention to but are they the right things?
What do we zone out to and not give attention to what we should be.
Last night, I was tired and sat down after dinner. Usually, I watch TV or the family plays a game, but last night I zoned out by just being on my phone, watching different videos and scrolling. The next thing I knew, I had spent way too much time just scrolling. I turned off my phone and sat there, thinking, 'Why did I just do that? I don’t usually do that, so what was the point?' I got nothing from any of it.
I decided right then that I will do my best to not just sit there for that long and scroll, looking at stuff that is just a distraction. I don’t want to go to my phone more than I should.
I need to fix my eyes on what God wants me to do and not just scroll to zone out.
Hebrews 12:2 says, "We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne."
We are to look at things above, as the scripture tells us, and when we are distracted by things of this life, we may not be looking to God but more to the world.
I have ADHD - inattentiveness to be more precise. So, I know how easy it is to forget what I was doing and lose my train of thought or just how difficult it is to pay attention from time to time.
I literally saw a squirrel and said it in the middle of a conversation. I get off track easily. But when I put my focus on God, I am better at paying attention. I am able to remember more and accomplish what God wants me to do. I still struggle, but it is somewhat easier when I have a path in front of me to follow. Organization of some sort helps me stay on track.
Proverbs 4:25-27 says, "Look straight ahead and fix your eyes on what lies before you. Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil."
When we look ahead to what God has for us and not all that can distract us, we will have a straighter path and accomplish what He has for us.
What we pay attention to on a daily basis really drives us. So, it is very important to know what you are giving attention to. When it comes to my thought process, I have to take my thoughts captive from time to time. Being an overthinker, I can really get in my own way. I can be so distracted by my thoughts that I can miss something so important. I can miss what is being said in conversation and sometimes just have a hard time conversing.
I have to get my mind right, pray, and ask God to help me not to dwell on what is playing over and over in my mind or just play out conversations in my mind before actually having them. I need to be aware of my thoughts and also what God may have for me in situations or conversations. I don’t want to miss any of that.
Isaiah 26:3 says, "You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!"
Our minds and thoughts will be more at ease when we practice keeping our attention on God and what He has for us to do.