How Do You Keep Your Focus on God and Not on the Obstacles in Your Life?

Numbers 14:8-9

When we perceive a threat to our well being or an obstacle standing between us and our goals, we often fear that the overall plan for our lives is in serious jeopardy.

In those times, we need to remember the promises of God.

When the Israelite spies set out on a reconaissance mission to assess the land of Canaan, they had no idea what they would encounter. It was a great honor to be chosen by Moses for such an assignment and Moses selected the top leader from each of the 12 tribes for the job.

Yet all their training and leadership experience did not prepare them for something so overwhelming. Who had ever heard of a grape cluster so huge that it had to be carried on a pole lifted by two men? Who could possibly be prepared for Canaanite warriors so massive they dwarfed the best of Israel's army? It is no wonder these spies felt a whirling mix of emotions as they headed back to their commander-in-chief to give a full report.

You can imagine the scene. Moses and Aaron (Moses' brother) gathered the people to hear the news. The spies confirmed that the Promised Land was indeed everything God said it was-but they focused on what they saw as the obstacles to their taking the land, namely the giants who lived there. They gave an accurate report, but they failed to give the whole story. Only Joshua and Caleb spoke the truth.

These faithful men recounted what they had seen and then reiterated, in their own words, the promises of God that had brought them to his point: "If the Lord delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us, 'a land which flows with milk and honey.' Only do not rebel against the Lord, nor fear the people of the land, for they are our bread; their protection has departed from them, and the Lord is with us. Do not fear them" (Num. 14:8-9). Joshua and Caleb lived to see the Promised Land, but only because they focused on the goal God had laid out for them and not on the obstacles standing in the way.

The blessings God has in store for you are just as rich! Never allow shortsighted vision-especially one focused on obstacles-to block the far-reaching plan of the Lord.

What To Do In Times of Adversity?

Psalms 31:13-15

Part of life is facing adversity, even the kind of adversity that challenges our faith. King David provides us some great advice when it comes to facing times of adversity.

As part of his final blessing to his son Solomon, David said to him, "You will prosper, if you take care to fulfill the statutes and judgments with which the Lord charged Moses concerning Israel. Be strong and of good courage; do not fear nor be dismayed" (I Chr.22:13).

That's good advice for us today too. it's still true that obedience always bring blessing. Time and again in the Law of Moses, we find the word keep. The children of Israel were commanded to keep the feasts, to keep the law and commandments, to keep the Sabbath day holy, to keep their oaths to God, to keep themselves from evil. Moses said to the children of Israel as he led them into a covenant relationship with God, "Therefore keep the words of this covenant, and do them, that you may prosper in all that you do" (Deut. 29:9).

To keep means to hold fast and to cherish at the same time. When adversity strikes, that should be our mind-set: above all else, we need to hold fast to the Lord and to cherish our relationship with Him. Rather than blame God or turn from God,we need to turn to God and rely on His help. Keeping God's laws in the face of adversity actually leads us toward prosperity-a better state of being.

When adversity hits, those around you may criticize you for clinging to faith or reaffirming your belief that God is a good and benevolent heavenly Father. They may mock you or scorn you. Don't feel dismayed if that happens. Continue to keep God's word and remain faithful in your relationship with the Lord. Remember what David said: "I hear the slander of many; fear is on every side; while they take counsel together against me, they scheme to take away my life. But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord; I say, "you are my God." My times are in your hand; deliver me from the hand of my enemies" (Ps. 31:13-15).

Ask the Lord to give you courage to withstand the hurtful comments of others and to be able to give a bold witness about God's power and presence even in your time of trouble.

How Adversity Reveals Our Level of Faith

"When hardships come our way, do we respond, "God, I trust You to bring me through this"? Or do we tend to say, I'm doomed, and there's nothing anybody can do"?

God once sent a storm on the Sea of Galilee to teach Jesus' desciples a lesson on faith. Jesus had said to His men, "Let us cross over to the other side." (Mark 4:35), and they should have taken His statement as a sure sign that He expected a safe trip. But when a terrible wind storm threatened the boat, they panicked. The terrified desciples asked Jesus, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?"

How many times have we said the same thing? "Don't You care, Lord that this is happening to me? Don't You love me enough, Lord to do something about this hardship?"

Jesus rebuked the wind, and immediately a great calm settled on the lake. Then He turned to His desciples and said, "Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?" (Mark 4:40)

God has given to each one of us a measure of faith (see Rom 12:3), and He expects us to use it to overcome our fear.Fear always accompanies adversity; in fact, a degree of fear is what makes something an adversity instead of just another experience. Fear causes us to project the very worst that can happen-that we will never recover, that all hope is lost, that we will never again enjoy some treasured thing.

Faith tells the opposite story. Faith says that God is in control and that all things work together for our good (see Rom.8:28).Faith says that we will recover and that our final state will be better than anything we have experienced so far.

Allow adversity to call your faith to action rather than into question. Adversity reveals areas in which you need to act in faith and not fear. When hard times come, say to yourself, "Now is the time to use my faith in a new way." The more you use your faith, the greater it grows. "

Victory In Jesus

When trials, troubles, persecutions, disaster or attacks come, don't give in to fear. God will supply the strength you need to overcome in your adversity.

We are an overcomer because of Jesus Christ. "Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Sone of God" ( 1 John 5:5); and, "The one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world" (1 John 4:4).

"As the Holy Spirit leads us into a deepening awareness of Jesus' lordship over all of life's experiences-no matter how confusing, difficult, or painful our circumstances may become-our thoughts and feelings find a reliable shelter under the covering of Christ's unfailing love and protective authority." - Debra Evans

Praise God!