It might seem obvious that we should focus on Jesus when we are afraid or anxious. But there are many other times when we should turn our attention toward Him.
What are you feeling right now?
- Happy?
- Satisfied or confident?
- Anxious or afraid?
- Irritable or angry?
- Sad?
- Insignificant or unloved?
There are good reasons to focus on Jesus regardless of what we are feeling. Let’s check them out.
When you are happy focus on Jesus
You may wonder why you should focus on Jesus when you are happy.
These are times when you have the least amount of pressure and can practice what you need to be doing when life starts feeling stormy.
Focussing on Jesus when you are happy helps you form an important habit. Keep remembering that …
- Jesus is always with you and will never leave you. Talk to Him throughout the day, either out loud or in thought, about what you are experiencing and doing. (1)
- Jesus has given you much to be thankful for. (2)
- Jesus is always working in your life to help you become all that He created you to be. (3)
- Jesus will give you the opportunity to help and serve others as part of His plan. (4)
- When life gets hard, Jesus will comfort and sustain you. (5)
When you are satisfied or confident focus on Jesus
There can be great danger in feeling satisfied or confident in our accomplishments. This is when the enemy will whisper lies to you.
Lies? What lies?
People often get TOO CONFIDENT, giving themselves all the credit for what they have done. That easily leads to thinking we don’t need Jesus.
We know from Scripture that it is God who created us and gave us our abilities. Without Him, we would fall flat on our faces whether we realize it or not.
“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made … in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.” Psalm 139:13-14, 16 ESV
“In Him we live and move and have our being … ” Acts 17:28
God is our source for everything we accomplish.
When you are anxious or afraid focus on Jesus
Many things can create fear within us. Usually, it is related to our sense of security or safety.
Fear can be a raging emotional storm within us.
Just like the master and teacher asked his disciples to do on the stormy seas, we need to focus on Jesus.
David the Psalmist wrote:
“When I am afraid, I will put my trust in you (God).” Psalm 56:3 ESV (explanation added)
David had good reasons to be afraid. King Saul wanted to kill him. I would have been scared. What about you? He also wrote:
“In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” Psalm 4:8 ESV
You see when we focus on Jesus, it makes it possible to sleep.
This is a great quote from Dr. David Jeremiah:
“If we focus only on circumstances we will live in fear. If we keep our attention on God and His word, we will live in faith.”
When you are irritable or angry focus on Jesus
Irritability can quickly turn to anger and Scripture warns that when we are angry it is easy to do or say wrong things.
“Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger,” Ephesians 4:26 ESV
It is a given that we will be angry from time to time. Regardless of what has caused the anger, we need to look at Jesus and what He did when people were unreasonable.
Jesus said to pray for our enemies. And the Apostle Paul wrote to be kind to each other. The only way to accomplish this is to leave the outcome in God’s hands.
“Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” Romans 12:19 ESV
It is not our job to get even or punish. That is God’s job.
Focus on Jesus when feeling irritable or angry.
When you are sad focus on Jesus
Most often we are sad when we lose someone or something important to us. Sadness is part of grieving.
These are normal feelings that will come and go in waves.
As we learn to adjust to the loss, we need to also focus on Jesus. He understands everything we feel. He is the only one who can give us real hope for the future.
Furthermore, we are promised that the things that seem devastating to us will someday be used for good. Though hard to believe, it is true.
Somewhere down the road, either here or in heaven, we will see how God turned what was meant for evil into something good.
When you feel insignificant or unloved focus on Jesus
No one loves us more than Jesus. He will love us when others don’t. He loves us when we mess things up. He loves us in our failures. He loves us no matter what.
We have great significance to Jesus. Otherwise, He would not have died for us.
“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13 ESV
No matter what you’re feeling focus on Jesus
Our feelings don’t always tell us the truth. Yet many Christians let their feelings and thoughts hold them captive. This is why we need to focus on Jesus no matter what we are feeling.
We find in the book of Deuteronomy this directive.
“These words I am commanding you today are to be upon your hearts. And you shall teach them diligently to your children and speak of them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as reminders on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorposts of your houses and on your gates.” Deuteronomy 6:6-9 ESV
No matter what you are doing or feeling, focus on Jesus.
If you don’t know Jesus, you probably have questions. The people at Chat About Jesus have answers. You can text, call, or chat with them online any time of the day or night.
References:
- Hebrews 13:5, Deuteronomy 31:8, Psalm 139:7-12, and “Who has time to pray without ceasing?“
- 1 Thessalonians 5:18 and “Why gratitude is important every day“
- Philippians 1:6 and “6 excellent reasons to start your day with God“
- 1 Peter 4:10, Philippians 2:4, Galatians 6:10, Psalm 139:16l and “Want joy? Start serving others“
- 2 Corinthians 1: 4, Psalm 55:22, and “Overcoming fear in a world of uncertainty“
- Many thanks to Bible Gateway for easy navigation of the Scriptures.