You are probably aware during a basketball game; the crowd tries to distract the player when at the free throw line with loud hollering. Or when a baseball player is up to bat, the crowd in the stands will chant, hey batter, hey, batter, swing to distract the batter from using their best judgment of when to contact the ball. 

These tactics keep players from scoring. However, most players know of this ploy to keep them from being successful and have prepared themselves for such distractions.

Distraction is a thing that prevents someone from giving full attention to something else.

We have many distractions going on in our lives. Some can be avoided by simply turning off our cell phone alerts. My phone will ding with every text message, youtube video I subscribe to, and email I receive. Amazingly, I do get some things done with all these interruptions. 

Though, there are some distractions that we cannot simply turn off. 

It has been this way for me since the beginning of the year. 

Have you ever noticed that when we set out to do something specific, the distractions of life can become our mental focus?

One would need to pay attention, or these distractions can divert us from our intended course.

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour (or distract from their purpose). 1 Peter 5:8

The principalities of darkness know and have to bow to the name of Jesus. And when a person knows their identity in the resurrected Messiah and uses their given authority, through the blood, to cut off the demonic, the distractions may seem more frequent—doing everything in his power to get your eyes off the Throne of God. 

I once had a pastor tell me; Georgia, the enemy, cannot keep you from eternal life once you acknowledge and accept the gospel of Jesus. But he can make your life like a pinball bouncing from bumpers and ramps if you look at him. 

He is nothing but a dancing distraction in front of you. Be wise; know that he is trying to manipulate you, however, do not take your eyes off Jesus.  

Colossians 3:1-2 MSG

So if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things in front of you. Look up and be alert to what is happening around Christ—that’s where the action is. See things from his perspective.

So how do we do this? 

Here are a few practices and scriptures I walk through when I feel I am losing sight.

First, if I have to be honest with myself and ask, am I rehearsing an offense in my heart? If I am, I must repent and give that offense to God. Rarely does picking a scab off a wound bring healing. It only makes it bleed again. 

Hebrews 12:15 TPT

Watch over each other to make sure that no one misses the revelation of God’s grace. And make sure no one lives with a root of bitterness sprouting within them which will only cause trouble and poison the hearts of many.

Second, I need to ask: Does what I believe now go against what I know to be God’s accurate word?

2 Corinthians 10:5 AMP

We are destroying sophisticated arguments and every exalted and proud thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought and purpose captive to the obedience of Christ,

Third, I ask myself, am I trying to control the situation or person? Controlling is, for sure, a place where we should avoid finding ourselves.

Manipulation and control are from Satan, and we do not partner with that spirit. But if I find myself trying to control something or someone that isn’t my place to do, it costs me lots of frustration and energy. Ultimately it derails me from my purpose.  

Dancing distractions: Bitterness, lies of what the truth is, trying to control, and losing sight of the purpose. 

I won’t go into all the details of my life these past few weeks; I will only say there have been many dancing distractions attempting to get my eyes off the Throne and the purposes God has set me out to do. 

I chose to stop this pinball craziness. Rejoicing in the Lord, I will sing to Him whose name is above all names. And I solidified in my heart that I (nor my family) have not been abandoned.