Staying Focused on God

Matthew 6:33 (NLT)

“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”

It’s no secret that staying focused on God can be hard sometimes. There are so many things around us that try to take our attention. The enemy uses distractions to shift our focus off of God and onto stuff that doesn’t matter as much. And we don’t always realize it right away.

Distractions can be anything—like your phone, a crush, laziness, procrastination, or even spending too much time with friends. None of those things are bad on their own, but when they start taking God's place in our hearts, that's when it becomes a problem.

So how can we tell if we’re not putting God first?

Ask yourself things like:

• “Have I been spending more time thinking about something else instead of God?”
• “Have I stopped reading my Bible or praying like I used to?”

If your answer is yes, but you’re not sure what’s pulling your focus away, ask God to show you. Psalm 139:23-24 (NLT) says, “Search me, O God, and know my heart... Point out anything in me that offends you.” Our Heavenly Father will help us see what’s in the way and guide us back to Him, so we can enjoy His peace and blessings.

Talk to God about it. Ask Him to help you stay strong and not let that thing become more important than your time with Him.

You might be wondering, "How do I stay focused when these distractions are everywhere?"

The Bible gives us the answer:

1 Peter 5:8-9 (NLT)
“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith...”

James 4:7 (NLT)
“So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

These verses remind us to stay alert and strong in our faith. That means spending time with God daily by reading the Bible, praying, and just talking to Him with respect and love. The more we do that, the easier it becomes to notice when something is pulling us away from Him.

Another thing you can do is fast from the thing that’s been taking too much of your time. That could mean putting your phone down for a day or two, or taking a break from social media or video games. Use that time to pray, read your Bible, or even worship. It helps you clear your mind and get closer to God.

The bottom line is that God wants your heart, not just your leftover time. So check in with yourself often, pray for strength, and don’t be afraid to let go of things that are getting in the way. When you keep God first, everything else falls into place. 

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

“Staying Focused on God”, written for aheartforchristdevotions@blogspot.com by Kraiapril©2025. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord!