Finding Focus

Recently I wasn't able to focus and it was the pits. It's also made life rather difficult. Things that normally would not have been a big deal were major hassles. My brain was working in fragments, and so were my prayers.

...please, Lord...

...guide me...

...more of You...

...help me...

...this, Lord?

After a week of this, my soul was crying out, “Enough, Lord! Please...” Even that went unfinished. But I heard a whisper in my soul. I knew God had heard all my fragmented prayers. And He understood all those prayers, too.

In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. ~Romans 8:26-27 NAS

Even when I'm too scattered to string more than two words together, the Holy Spirit is there interceding for me. God knows my thoughts. Psalm 94:11 Psalm 139:3 says that my way is known to Him. He knows it intimately –much better than I do!

So what am I do do during these times when I can't focus? Do I just cash in and be a couch potato? I could, and at times I do. Sometimes I'm just plain exhausted and need to rest. But some weeks that's not an option. Those are the weeks that I need to center my heart on Jesus. How do I do this? 1 Thessalonians 5:16-19 gives us a quick and easy checklist—which is wonderful for days when you can't focus.

Rejoice always. This isn't 'be happy always.' This is choosing to rejoice whether you feel like it or not and choosing to find things to rejoice about. Focus on God Himself and you'll have plenty reasons to rejoice.

Pray without ceasing. It doesn't say anything about full sentence prayers. It doesn't say anything about being coherent. It simply says to pray constantly.

In everything give thanks. When we're exhausted it's easy to become negative and miss all the things we could, and should, be thankful for. Have you ever noticed the hundreds of teeny tiny small things there are to be thankful for? What about that traffic light that turned green just in time for you to keep moving? Or even the fact that the tissue landed inside the garbage can and not on the floor? Or the veggies that you caught before they boiled over? There are things to be thankful for if you really watch for them.

Do not quench the Holy Spirit. If we can keep ourselves rejoicing, praying and giving thanks during the times when we can't focus, the Spirit will be able to direct us when we feel we can't even direct ourselves. The Spirit will be able to work through us whether we happen to know if we're upside right or not.

In the midst of my scattered week, God reassured me that He was keeping His eye on me.

I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go;

I will counsel you with My eye upon you.

~Psalm 32:8 NAS

When I couldn't put my thoughts together in a coherent string of words, He gave me something to cling to and rest in.

For You are my rock and my fortress;

for Your name's sake You will lead me and guide me.

~Psalm 31:3 NAS

Heavenly Father, thank You so much for watching over us when we're too scattered to know which end is up in our lives. Thank You for the Holy Spirit interceding for us when we can't connect words into understandable phrases. We can truly hide in the shelter of Your wings. Thank You, Father.