Focus or Refocus the Fight Within

 During my Sunday school class today, we talked about the first 4 Ten Commandments. As we were talking, I thought about what it would mean for us to “Focus” or “Refocus,” and what this would mean or look like as we went about our daily lives during the week. Seemingly during church (or even the entire Sunday) we have the will power and strength to “do it all right.” Just afterwards, it appears that we forget and it becomes a fight and struggle to do what we know is right.

One of the sister’s said for her “focusing” meant to say a short prayer just before she delved into cooking dinner for her family, especially after a hard day at work. Another said it meant to pause and thank God for the opportunity “To Do” whatever it is that you may have to do for your family (and not whine or do things begrudgingly), thanking God that you have a family TO DO for.

I wonder if we thought, or paused for just a few minutes to “Focus” on what we are going to DO or SAY if we’d be a happier person for a little while longer, or if we would reign in peace that abounds within our lives.

How about a time to Focus or Refocus when:

Someone rides to close to our car bumpers and it aggravates us to no end because we are not going as fast as they want us to on the freeway

We don’t feel like cooking for our families because we need to comment on blog posts, or market our books (or whatever it is that motivates you)

Someone at work says something cross to us

Our husband’s leave the toilet seat up

Our children leave sticky drippings on the kitchen counter top that we just finished cleaning

I could go on and on, but I think that you get the drift of where I am going with this.

These are the scriptures that our teacher left us with today:

1. Exodus 20: 1-3 Thou shalt have no other Gods before Me.

2. Mark 12: 29-30 Love the Lord Thy God with ALL thy heart, and with ALL thy soul, and with ALL thy mind, and with ALL thy Strength

3. Exodus 20: 4-6 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything…

4. II Corinthians 7:1 Cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit

And finally, Philippians 4: 4-9

….. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

I highlighted the last few words of that passage because I want to take you back to the beginning of this post of what it would mean or look like to “Focus.” If we “think on these things” listed in God’s word, I believe that we may be able to prevent our daily sins that cause us to think negatively, or snap at our co-workers, husbands, or children, or even harbor evil thoughts when we are aggravated.

Perhaps if we stopped for just a moment to Focus, or Refocus about what really is important to us such as our families and our duty to our family (and so much more), we’d be happier beings.

But the word goes on to say this:

(9) Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, DO: the God of peace shall be with you.

I capitalized the word DO because I know that in order for us to follow God’s word and his commandments, we must DO what we know is right. We must focus and/or Refocus on what HIS will is.

 

Photo Courtesy of: keith ellwood’s photostream