Distractions
Magicians utilize distraction to execute their illusions. They make you focus on one thing while their hands or assistant is doing another. Fake news works the same way. The controlled media creates news cycles to divert our attention from the real issues. The enemy does the same thing. We find ourselves caught up in conflict when God wants to deliver us. We find ourselves focused on the storm when God wants us to walk on water. What distractions are you currently facing? What is being deliberately put in your line of sight when you should be paying attention to something else? What are you worrying about when God has already handled? Don’t let these temporary distractions steal your joy. Don't let these uncertain times steal your faith. Don’t let one defeat steal your victory. Distractions are a tool of the enemy to keep you bound.
John 8:36 NKJV Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed
Distractions
I’m not a person that gets overwhelmed easily. I can typically take myself out of a situation and try to see it from all sides. I can usually agree to disagree. Sometimes, I must admit that I do get distracted. I lose sight of my goal. I get in my feelings, and it’s usually all bad. It’s amazing how much what we see and our mind processes controls our point of view.
Distractions are meant to keep you focused on temporary problems or obstacles. They are meant to frustrate you in the moment. They are meant to make lose sight of what’s ahead. Distractions are there to deter your vision. Keep that in mind, when your day doesn’t go as planned or when the kids are acting up. Distractions are obstacles designed to obstruct your vision. It all goes back to your vision. What are you looking at? What do you see? Do you see opportunity or distraction?
Focus
Life is full of distractions that make it very hard to focus. It seems like we get pulled in a million and one directions. Things fall apart at the same time. Kids start acting up. Money gets funny. Life happens. Truthfully, most of us focus on the problem. It’s easier to see than the solution. We focus on our fear. We focus on what’s going wrong instead of what’s going right. We have to condition ourselves to point out the positive. We have to teach ourselves to focus on God in the midst of chaos.
New Normal
New Normal is a term in business and economics that refers to financial conditions following the financial crisis of 2007-2008 and the aftermath of the 2008–2012 global recession. The term has since been used in a variety of other contexts to imply that something which was previously abnormal has become commonplace.
What's your new normal? What is America's new normal? I remember when profanity was not a commonplace for primetime tv. I remember when songs had clean versions not just radio edits. I remember when games were criticized for excessive violence. I remember when rap music was the subject of congressional hearings. I remember when social meant human interaction. I remember when "live entertainment" did not include being a witness to murder and police brutality. Our new normal has desensitized us. Our new normal doesn't value life. Our new normal doesn't value family. Our new normal doesn't celebrate our differences. Our new normal is fear. Our new normal has created no expectation of justice. Our new normal is depression. Our new normal is violence. Our new normal is distraction. Our new normal is self destruction.