Keep Your Eyes and Focus on Jesus

It’s easy to lose spiritual focus and get distracted when things don’t seem to be going our way. It’s especially true when we see or experience injustices, trouble, unethical behavior or wrongdoing. However, the Bible encourages us that even, and especially in those times, we should keep our focus and our eyes fixed on Jesus.

God has been showing me some of that lately. I tend to get more frustrated and discouraged when I rely on myself and my own strength instead of remembering that I have a God that will give me the strength I need to handle and endure anything that comes my way if I’ll just look to him.

Sometimes things just get under our skin so much that we forget about God’s role and ability in the whole process. For example, state budget cuts and administrative changes have completely affected education where I live. I teach at a local community college, and we’ve experienced some significant negative effects as well.

Take this upcoming semester, for instance…

In my department alone, over half of the classes have been canceled, instructors are receiving fewer teaching assignments but still have increased workloads, and a tremendous amount of autonomy has been eliminated. It’s super frustrating for both professors and students alike. I had a class canceled this semester, and a good friend of mine did as well, even though she was guaranteed a certain number of classes in return for some uncompensated work that she did.

In these situations it’s extremely easy to focus on the injustice. It’s easy to spend time stewing and trying to think of ways that we can make things right, change our circumstances, and/or make people see the error of their ways. What I should be doing instead is just focusing on God and the things that are in my control. I have to choose to shift my focus from the negative to God. 

Park’s tree

It reminds me of a time 2 years ago when a storm caused tremendous damage in our neighborhood. Several large, mature trees were snapped and lying on top of houses. One of my neighbors, an elderly gentleman named Park, had an enormous tree that was visibly cracked near the base and slightly leaning. It hadn’t fallen over yet, but it looked like it was going to go at any moment. When it did, it was going to fall right on their house and cause unfathomable damage.

What struck me as odd was that Park just seemed so calm and cool about it. As we were talking about the possibility of damage, Park just smiled and shrugged. Then he said, “Well, the way I see it, it’s God’s house anyway [*referring to the verses below], and if He wants to let His house get destroyed that’s fine by me. It’s His stuff. He can do what He wants with it. He’ll just have to provide another one of His houses for me to use!”

“A psalm of David. The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him.” Psalm 24:1 (NLT)

“…For the world is Mine, and all it contains.” Psalm 50:12 (NASB)

“For “the earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it.”” 1 Corinthians 10:26 (NLT)

“Look, the highest heavens and the earth and everything in it all belong to the LORD your God.” Deuteronomy 10:14 (NLT)

Well, the good news is that the tree didn’t fall. A tree service arrived and removed the looming tree before it fell. Nevertheless, Park had the right attitude. I thought in that moment, “I wish I could always think like that.”

**Read more stories about my neighbors that day in my post about loving your actual neighbor.

How I can be more like Park

I’m reminded of Park’s perspective when my classes are taken away or canceled. I could emulate his mindset by saying, “God gave me this job to fulfill His purposes. This job is part of His provision for me. These students belong to Him. I have the potential to have a lifelong impact on several students. God can use whomever He wants as He sees fit. If it’s not me, then He must have a different method of provision for me because He promises to provide all my needs according to Philippians 4:19. He’ll just have to provide another way for me to make an impact. If I can’t impact those students, then I’ll be a good steward of the classes I DO have and the students I CAN impact.”

Just like God wasn’t responsible for the severe storm damage to our neighborhood years ago (because God is good and doesn’t cause bad—it’s the thief, Satan, who comes to steal, kill and destroy—John 10:10), God may not have been responsible for several classes getting canceled thus causing financial setbacks for numerous people. However He CAN still make good from bad (Romans 8:28), and He DOES still have a purpose and good plans for us (Jeremiah 29:11).

These distractions are opportunities and challenges for us to keep our eyes and focus on Jesus. They are opportunities for us to fully rely on and trust in God. It’s a chance to choose to shift our focus from the negative to God.

Scriptures on keeping your eyes and focus on Jesus:

“Therefore, holy brothers, partners in a heavenly calling, keep your focus on Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession.” Hebrews 3:1 (ISV)

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.” Hebrews 12:1-2 (NLT)

“So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.” 2 Corinthians 4:18 (NLT)

“I keep my eyes always on the LORD. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” Psalm 16:8 (NIV)

“My eyes are always on the LORD, for he rescues me from the traps of my enemies.” Psalm 25:15 (NLT)

“Because he has focused his love on Me, I will deliver him. I will protect him because he knows My name. When he calls out to Me, I will answer him. I will be with him in his distress. I will deliver him, and I will honor him.” Psalm 91:14-15 (ISV)

“I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1-2 (NIV)

“We keep looking to the LORD our God for his mercy, just as servants keep their eyes on their master, as a slave girl watches her mistress for the slightest signal.” Psalm 123:2 (NLT)

“My son, stay focused; listen to the wisdom I have gained; give attention to what I have learned about life So you may be able to make sensible judgments and speak with knowledge.” Proverbs 5:1-2 (VOICE)

“But my eyes are toward you, O GOD, my Lord; in you I seek refuge; leave me not defenseless!” Psalm 141:8 (ESV)

“No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” Philippians 3:13-14 (NLT)

“Therefore, if you have been raised with the Messiah, keep focusing on the things that are above, where the Messiah is seated at the right hand of God.” Colossians 3:1 (ISV)

Take Some Practical Steps to Keep Your Eyes and Focus on Jesus:

• Name some areas of distraction in your life right now. What’s currently taking your eyes and focus off of Jesus? Recognize it first so that you can take steps to intentionally shift your focus.
• Shift your mindset and focus. Anytime you feel tempted to stew, ponder, or get upset or angry of that thing, remind yourself of one of the above verses. Intentionally turn your focus and thoughts toward God and Jesus. Remind yourself that God is your provider and protector. Put it back on God’s shoulders. Take Park’s example and follow it. Remind God (and yourself) that it’s His stuff anyway, and invite Him into your situation.
• Write 1 or 2 of the above verses about keeping your eyes and focus on Jesus on an index card and post it somewhere you will see often (i.e. bathroom mirror, nightstand, car console, over your bedroom light switch, etc.). Say the verse out loud when you see it and especially when your focus is off.

What are some things that you do to keep your eyes and focus on Jesus? Tell us about it by leaving a comment below.

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If you know anyone that could benefit from this, please pay it forward!  Share this post via the sharing links below.  “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV)