Focus

These past few days I've been distracted from my regular day to day patterns.  What I thought was a bug bite on Sunday ended up being poison oak and was way worse by the next day.  If you've ever had poison oak, you know that the itching and burning are almost unbearable at times.

The past few days I haven't been able to think of anything but itching one of the 4 spots on my body that are inflamed (I even have a small spot on my face).  I know that scratching might feel good for a second but it will ultimately hurt and I can also cause a secondary wound which would just make things worse for me and make my recovery longer.  So I'm trying to focus my brain on something soothing that might help me to relax in spite of the pain and discomfort I'm feeling.  I confess that I m having trouble with this today.


For whatever reason, as I was thinking, I realized that Satan is sort of like poison oak (or anything painfully distracting).  He likes to disable us whenever possible.  If he can cause pain and discomfort he will, he also tries to get us to be so focused on that pain that we feel as though we can't think of anything else.  If he gets his way, we will be so consumed and overwhelmed by our circumstantial pain that the truth will fade and hide in the recesses of our mind.

I know that the poison oak will go away after a couple of weeks and there are treatments that can ease the symptoms, this is the truth, but in the worst of it...I feel it's terrible NOW and my mind thinks that I can't take it another minute....even though I can, and I will.

I am finding that Satan will use things such as financial strain, health problems, broken relationships, rebellious children, and other situations like this.  These problems can become like the painful sore that feels all consuming.  When these unfortunate life circumstances pop up, we can easily become completely absorbed and find it difficult to focus on other aspects of life, including God's truth.

We know that in the end, God win's and Satan is bound to the pit for eternity.  Thankfully, we have a God that sent us a remedy for the suffering that happens due to Satan while we're here on earth....the Word of God and the Holy Spirit are often the best 'treatment' for our painful suffering!  And we don't even have to wait in line at the pharmacy to get it!

Just as I know I won't suffer with poison oak forever, I also know that God is on my side and He goes before me in all circumstances.  He is my defender, my protector, my friend, and my Lord.

I am challenged today to focus on TRUTH.

I am not weak, but strong! - "I can do everything through him who gives me strength." Phil 4:13

I am not a timid coward, I have to ability and power to do what is right! - "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline." 2 Tim 1:7

I am not helpless against Satan's schemes against me! - "With flattery he will corrupt those who have violated the covenant, but the people who know their God will firmly resist him." Dan 11:32

I am not destined to always lose, I am triumphant! - "But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him." 2 Cor 2:14

There is no person or company that is bigger than my Defender and Protector! - "What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?" Rom 8:31

Be blessed and reminded each day to draw close to Him and set your focus on truth.