Flip Your Focus
Nancy Carmichael / Director of Groups
I recently came across this little thought on my Instagram feed. Now, I’m not here to advocate doomscrolling, but as they say, “even a broken clock is right twice a day”, which for purposes of this little blogpost I am translating to mean “even Instagram will occasionally offer nuggets of wisdom.”
The thought was about three ways to make sure we keep ourselves stuck (…maybe my algorithm knows something I need to pay attention to???). Anyway, here are those three things:
1. Focus on what you can’t control.
2. Focus on what you don’t have.
3. Focus on the past or the future.
And BOOM, there you have it! (insert mic drop here).
I immediately shared this with a loved one, of course, because when we come across things like that our first thought is always “oh THEY really need to hear this!” But as I alluded to earlier with the algorithm comment, the Holy Spirit reminded me of how much I REALLY NEED TO HEAR THIS. And He also reminded me that the key to getting unstuck lays in flipping your focus!
1. Focus on what you CAN control. If not my circumstances, I can control my REACTIONS to my circumstances. You know, things like PRAYER? Things like choosing to see things from a perspective of God’s sovereignty and grace? The truth is, I always, ALWAYS have a choice.
“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7
2. Focus on what I DO have. I have so much. So, so much to be thankful for. Like a ridiculous amount. Right down to the 12,000,000,000,000,000 nerve impulses that are happening in my brain as I write these words (that’s not just me, by the way, it’s true for you, too, look it up!).
“Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all His benefits.” Psalm 103:2
3. Focus on the PRESENT. I can (and should) learn from the past. I can (and should) plan for the future. But I can only LIVE right now. In this moment. I don’t want to miss what’s right before me because I’m stuck dwelling or lamenting on the past or fretting over the future.
“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24
So just in case this hasn’t shown up in your algorithm (yet), I still wanted to share. Because maybe it’ll help you if you ever feel stuck? I think we can all use a reminder every now and then, to flip our focus. God is so good that way!