We can be overwhelmed by the distractions of life and divert our attention to the One who can sustain us, restore us and refresh us in our mind set on life. Angela Hurley-Smith a Brandy Williams give practical and helpful tips to regaining that quality time with God to help us flourish in the gardens of our life.
Podcast
Show Notes
Spring blooms with new life, reminding us to prepare our gardens for growth and producing flowers, fruits and vegetables. What is needed?
Prepare soil - nutrients, fertilize, add proper amount of water and tools necessary
Plant the seeds or transplant seedlings - reading and meditating on God's words
Pull weeds - negative thoughts and bad company
Prune - cut out things that pull us away from God and time with God and His Word
Water... with the Word of God regularly
Spiritually, we must stay connected with the True Vine (Jesus) in order to blossom and bear fruit.
How?
We cultivate this by taking time to listen to God through reading the Bible and our prayer time.
Matthew 13:3-8 Story about a Farmer
What keeps us from our “Quiet Time”?
Busyness of life
Caring for kids, elderly parents,
Job (schedule, overnights)
Health Issues
Family trauma
Social media
Bing watching videos
Entertainment, sporting events
Distraction = something that directs one’s attention away from something else.
Source of Distractions:
Some are unavoidable (unexpected circumstances)
They come from all angles
They can cost time, happiness, peace, relationships, money, etc
God's Perspective on Distractions
The Things of the World...
"Don’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." Romans 12:2 NLT
- Temptation to adapt to the ways of the world
- Chase fame
- Pursue fortune
- Attention pulls away to selfish ambitions; can produce jealousy
Self-Focused Desires
14 Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. 15 These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death." James 1:14-15 NLT
- world offers temptations to our fleshly desires
Our Thought World
"And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise." Philippians 4:8 NLT
- major distraction is our thoughts
- control thoughts when they surface
Other People
- We can allow what people think of us to distract us = Galatians 1:10 NLT
- The distraction could be against us = Nehemiah 6:2 NLT
- Sometimes we need to avoid certain people when they hinder our Christian walk. = 1 Corinthians 7:35 NLT
Our Circumstances
30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? 31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. Matthew 6:30 – 33 NLT
- Pain
- Finances
- the unexpected
How to Overcome Distractions
1. Identify What Distracts You
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Hebrews 12:1 NIV
2. Identify the Problem (weeds of the garden)
TV
Electronics
Laziness
procrastination
you name it ________________________________
3. Determine Ways to Eliminate or Reduce Distractions
"Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk." Ephesians 4:31 MSG
Eliminate what you can - take baby steps
TV = unplug maybe not physically, but choose to watch less on
Cell phone = turn off
Social Media = delete apps
4. Change your Environment
"Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, He got up, went out, and made His way to a deserted place. And He was praying there." Mark 1:35 HSC
Create a distraction free zone
Consider another place all together to be alone with God
Need to clear your mind, take a walk
Need advise - go seek a like-minded person or mentor
5. Have a Daily Task List or Vision (if you’re a list person)
"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men" Colossians 3:23 ESV
"2 Then the LORD said to me, “Write my answer plainly on tablets, so that a runner can carry the correct message to others. 3 This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed." Habakkuk 2:2-3 NLT
Set a goal to accomplish
Work as if you’re working for the Lord (put the effort in)
Realize you can’t conquer it all (break it down to manageable tasks)
Set a time to start and a limit to accomplish each task to stay balanced
Never confuse busy with productivity
6. Monitor your Thoughts
"You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You." Isaiah 26:3NKJV
Observe where your thoughts go, creating emotions that are peaceful and a 'can do' attitude vs. overwhelmed
Thoughts in our heads can be our biggest distraction
Negative thoughts can be detrimental in the following ways:
Stress
Anxiety
Worry, fear, doubt
Could produce: sickness, headaches, and depression
7. Read Gods Word and Pray Daily = Jesus, our daily Bread and Living Water
8. Declare the Word Daily over Loved Ones
"6 And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. 7 Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. 8 Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. 9 Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates." Deuteronomy 6:6-9 NLT
Affirmations to display at areas you'll see throughout the day
Post-it notes with God's promises
Write Scriptures on mirrors with an expo marker
9. Beware of the devil and his tactics
"Keep your mind clear, and be alert. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion as he looks for someone to devour." 1 Peter 5:8 GW
He will distract
Best way to stay alert is focus on God daily
10. Refocus your Mind
Redirect your focus back to God
Even when we veer off course, God is still there
Benefits of Time Spent with the Lord
Rest mentally and physically
Peace no matter the conditions and circumstances
Fruit of a healthy life, even in challenging times