Do you ever wake up feeling like your mind is crammed full of information? Things to do, people to see, things to remember. It’s normal to be busy, but for some reason, certain days are more difficult than others. Some days, your mind just feels muddled and murky. Distraction is ruling in your life!
You struggle with words to say, you forget people’s names and you can’t explain a concept correctly because your words aren’t making sense. Your mind is unfocused all day, and you just can’t seem to complete any task you start.
It’s easy to get distracted in the country and time we live in, with the instant gratification of the internet, social media and television. Sometimes, you might experience something like what I wrote above. Because life is so full, we can lose focus on what’s important.
God wants to be the center of our attention.
I know that I neglect this fact on a regular basis and honestly, this week has been tough in particular. And yet, He gives me grace for it—way more than I deserve.
Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:16).
Recently (even before this week), I was feeling very overloaded with things, people and information—I just felt like I wasn’t connecting with God. I was stumbling and couldn’t keep a tight grip. How do I intentionally bring my focus back on Him? His presence brings my mind back to focus, but my mind wouldn’t stop getting in the way.
The topic of fasting came up in my weekly small group a few days later, and I have to admit, I was not really into the idea. Each person spoke on something that they try to fill voids with when they feel distant from God; I realized mine was television, particularly Netflix. There’s nothing like a few episodes of a dramatic television series to make your mind drift away from reality.
The day after my small group, I decided to fast television for a week so I could bring my focus back to what is most important—God. I intentionally set something aside, and instead of me giving to Him, He gave more to me. I had more time to read (the Bible and other books), to write, and have experiences with people I never could have planned. Another unexpected thing that happened was that I slept more, and overall, slept better than I had in months.
As I write this, the experience seems so lukewarm on paper, and I’m not trying to make it sound like it’s just something to experience one time. I would encourage you to try and fast one or even a few things. What in your life takes away from God? Is there something you could go without in order to seek more clarity in God?
“Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning” (Joel 2:12).
