How to Stay Focused on Christ in a Distracted World

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We live in a world full of distractions. So many things pull our attention away from what really matters—relationships, ministry, and, most of all, God. The tyranny of the urgent often wins! Even as I started writing this post, a technology glitch pulled me away. I got caught up in the details again and lost my focus. Ugh!

You and I get so preoccupied with our possessions, problems, appearance, opinions of others, and, of course, our to-do list. But these are all self-focused.

I don’t want to live that way. Perhaps you don’t either. I want to think about Christ so much that I can’t think about anything or anyone else that doesn’t include Him. I want to be so preoccupied—so filled—with Christ that:

All trials are seen in light of His will and purpose.
All of my desires are submissive to His; trusting that His ways are best
I am not so easily distracted by this world.
When emotions begin to take control, I quickly recognize it and hand control back to Christ.
When needs feel unmet, the truth of Scripture rushes back into my mind so I can rest in God’s provision.
When tempted, I remember the cross and His power to say no.
I am aware that God is with me every moment.
Everything I say and do brings glory to God.

Staying Focused on Christ Means…

Continually bringing your thoughts, desires, emotions, and decisions under His authority. It means letting His truth shape how you see trials, respond to distractions, and make daily choices. In short—it’s thinking of Christ so much that He becomes your default lens for life.

So how do we become more focused on Christ rather than self? D.L. Moody^[i] gives us a simple illustration:

“How can I get the air out of this glass?”
Answer: Fill it with water.

Similarly, how do we remove our old sinful self from the picture?
Answer: Fill it with the Holy Spirit.

For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ… (Col 2:9-10)

God wants to permeate every part of your being so there is less room for the old sinful nature and more room for His new life in you, where the influence of your old nature decreases, and His new divine nature becomes more dominant. This is a life-long pursuit, but here are some practical ways to begin.

5 Ways to Stay Focused on Christ

1. Choose to Set Your Mind on Christ

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. (Col 1:1-2, emphasis added; see also Heb 3:1; Heb 12:2)

Fixing your thoughts on Jesus is a choice. You can train your mind. Every time you become aware of a negative or self-centered thought, replace it with God’s truth. Over time, this becomes easier—your “will muscle” grows stronger.

2. Feed Your New Nature (and Starve the Old One)

Read, meditate on and apply God’s Word. The more you nourish your spirit with Scripture, the less power the flesh has.

3. Surrender and Remain Yielded to God

Staying focused on Christ requires a heart that is yielded—ready to obey Him and responsive to His leading. Do not quench the Spirit. (1 Thes 5:19)

4. Grow in Your Love for Christ

…To know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. (Eph 3:19)

It is easy to be captivated by someone you love deeply. The more you learn about Jesus—through Scripture, prayer, and worship—the more you will naturally think about Him.

Lastly my friend, you can become more preoccupied with Christ by simply…

5. Asking God to help you

Will you pray this along with me?

O Lord, empty me of me and fill me with You. I want to be filled with You in every way. Bring my heart, soul, mind, emotions, will, and desires under Your full control. Let the fullness of Christ be so evident in my life that others will see Your glory in me.

Helpful Resources
Sensing God’s Presence
Are You Too Busy? Let God Be Your Plate Spinner
Surrender Part 3: What Does “Dying to Self” Mean?
How Do You Love God with Your Whole Being
How to Keep the BIG Picture in Mind

[i] http://www.actsweb.org/articles/article.php?i=173&d=1&c=1&p=1