Hush Baby, Just Shift Your Focus

Have you lost faith in yourself? Good. Our faith shouldn’t be there anyway. We are too fickle. Too vulnerable to manipulation, filled with pain…so susceptible to deception….so prone to small thinking….so much time devoted to petty feelings….so much time wasted….we even hurt people in the name of religion….we publicly or privately decide who is worthy or which sins are worse….yes I know most are doing the best they can with what they know but can we be totally trusted? No. Our faith should not be in ourselves. Our faith should rest firmly in the Lord that loves us all….faults and all. The Lord that sees all things, knows all things and is in control of all things…be thankful if you realize and are aware that you can’t totally rely on yourself. That’s not weakness, that’s strength.

Corinthians 12:9-11(NIV) 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Stop fretting. Relax, sit back, trust in the Lord and watch Him fight your battles. I was once very desperate to get the Lord to help me out of a situation that I had in part helped myself to get in and as I cried out to Him, a thought popped into my head that silenced me. This thought in a tone dripping with accusation said “you just want the Lord to save you” and for a split second I felt guilty for asking but then just as quickly I shifted my focus and  thought well yes! that’s exactly what I want. And He did! Just think, If I hadn’t shifted my focus I would have let that nasty, vile little voice shake me and distract me from what God wanted to give me…His security.

Be loyal to Him and not your fickle feelings. Do what He says and you will have peace…the peace you so desperately crave and may not even be aware you need. Peace be still (see Mark 4:39)..in others words, Silence… and to your storm, be still. Here is what my mama use to say when I would chatter on incessantly about everything and nothing, with all the love in her heart she would say:  “baby, you gone have to hush”. I didn’t feel slighted or rejected and sometimes I’d even keep right on talking! I was secure in her love ( much like I’m secure in the love of Christ). She would continue to patiently listen or lovingly and mercifully tune me out the way mothers can so skillfully do. I always felt loved and knew she always had my back. I was reminded of that as I fretted with the Lord this morning, as I sometimes (and not happy to say) do….that is until I can imagine Him saying  “Baby you need to hush….I’ve got this….just focus on Me”.  And as He so often does He directs me to His Word, which comforts me, soothes me, guides me, encourages me and gently shoves me right back out there doing His will. I love the Lord because He always hears my cry. And He hears yours too. If this is for you hold on tight…He’s got this and He sees you. Just shift your focus.

I so want to exhibit the mind of Christ and sometimes it seems the world works overtime trying to bring out the worst. With the Lords help and these scriptures my focus shifts…..

Psalm 32:8-9 (NIV) 8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. 9 Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you.

Psalm 51:10-17 (NIV) 10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit,to sustain me. 13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you. 14 Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, you who are God my Savior, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness. 15 Open my lips, Lord, and my mouth will declare your praise. 16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. 17 My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.

Some of our best and lasting lessons can come from adversity.

James 1:12 (NIV) 12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

Our job is to simply learn the lessons with an open clean heart. The rest will take care of itself. If you can’t find peace or your feelings are dark and heavy, keep looking for the lesson, sometimes our fickle feelings will mask and keep us closed off from the truth. The lesson is there and so is the love of God. During those times it is so easy to feel all alone and separate. If people would let you in you would find that we all struggle, it’s just that some of us are better at masking it. No matter how alone you may feel you are not.

James 5:16 (NIV)

16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

Find a way not to judge, just pray for enlightenment. I know this may be difficult because misery absolutely loves and sometimes demands company. But hold on….shift your focus and trust God.

With Love, Ms Wanda, GAC