Don't Throw Yourself Around

“Physical training is of some value, but godliness (spiritual training) is of value in everything and in every way, since it holds promise for the present life and for the life to come.” (1 Timothy 4::8 AMP)
 
I enjoy doing a video workout with the legendary Billy Blanks. Billy’s Boot Camp, it’s called. Now while I’ve gone through this exercise routine for almost 20 years, a new revelation hit me this week

The program involves both cardiovascular and strength training. In one tiny moment, Billy’s one-liner was etched into my mind. It was during an arm exercise working on the shoulders ...

Don’t just throw yourself around -you gotta stay focused.

That instant - what God has been teaching me throughout the years, once again became reality for me. Disciplines learned in the “world” have a spiritual counterpart.

Now, for this workout the message was clear; don’t let your body just wave around wildly, but keep your movement strong, focused, and consistent until you complete the exercise.

I pictured the same being true for me each morning as I get up and turn my attention to worship and prepare my heart and mind to study God’s Word and pray for things going on around me. It also includes my intercessory prayers for family and friends.

Do YOU ever have trouble staying focused in your prayer and devotional time with God? Perhaps you too, could take the nudge from Billy to not throw your mind around, but learn to stay focused and intentional in your worship and prayer life.

I truly look forward to ONE DAY having the ability to be singular in my worship with a full heart and mind fixed on my God in praise and adoration. But for the time being I simply press on to become stronger in this endeavor of keeping focused and trying to minimalize distractions.  Far from perfect, but here are some strategies that lead me onward toward this goal:

*) Eyes opened, Mind captured.
It’s imperative to seize your mind the minute it “comes to life” as you awaken. You’ve just got to jump in there with Jesus, before the flesh sends you to various (and often meaningless) distractions. Living in a physical world affords us many opportunities to do things, be things, think things – that totally keep us from focusing on the unseen spiritual world. Instead, our focus flits and scurries  in a variety of other directions.

How do you capture your mind? THE BEST WAY IS TO QUOTE SCRIPTURE!

Search His Word and select a verse – or a passage, making  it your  morning routine to grab hold of it. Say it. Pray it to Jesus before your feet even touch the floor.

*) Defer leadership to The Holy Spirit.
As you pray your morning scripture, ask the Holy Spirit living inside of you to be THE LEADER during this time. Ask Him to guide your mind, believing He will and that He wants to and that He’s so glad you asked for His help. Thank Him for helping you worship whole-heartedly.

*) Worship and Praise.
Take some time to fully worship – praising God in song and scripture reading.

Join the Christians of old in praise. You can do this by reading the same prayers of joy and adoration they voiced - praying and affirming who God is through the psalms.

Read aloud joyfully and heartily as you praise God – just for being God! Ask The Spirit to help you be creative during your worship time as you engage with the Creator, Sustainer, and Savior of your life.

*) Focus on ONE THING at a time.
 Sharpen your focus as you go about your day. Ditch your multi-tasking prowess, and concentrate on “the one thing” before you. As you eat your meals, slowly savor the food and focus on the sheer delight of eating

If you’ll keep intentional in “focusing on one thing” in your physical activities, you will begin to see the transfer to your spiritual life. Keeping your mind centered as you engage in conversation, or clean your house, or drive your car – ALL WITHOUT ANY OTHER DISTRACTIONS – will help you more easily stay focused during your worship time. The discipline of “one thing focus” will transfer over to your spiritual life.

*) After adoring God, pray for yourself.
Before praying those hard prayers for others who need God to show up in their lives, it’s critical to get yourself covered in Jesus! Praying yourself through the spiritual armor of Ephesians 6 will keep you from being vulnerable as you enter enemy territory.

As you pray for protection, revelation of truth, and ability to endure for yourself, you can then move with confidence into intercessory prayer for others.

I have found this process to be vital in my prayer life as I pray for those in great need. The enemy does not want them to experience the answers to those prayers we pray. We must be fully covered with the power of His Righteousness as we present these dear ones to Jesus.

*) Relax and Enjoy.
As you intentionally come to God your Father, Jesus your Savior, The HolySpirit your Helper and Comforter – there’s great relaxation and sheer JOY in the holy and supernatural relationship you share. You experience a blessing that is beyond explanation and a confidence that bolsters your every movement throughout your day.
 
Awake. Mind Focused. Heart Engaged. God Experienced.
 
Dear Father, I long for deep fellowship with You – a walk that is enjoyable and confident and life-changing. Teach me, Holy Spirit. Help me stay focused and plunge me into those deep vivacious waters of grace. Thank You. I love You, long for You, and praise You. Amen.
 
 Cindi
Frazzled Female Ministries
Frazzledfemale.com