by Karen Sargent
We all know that in order to take a good picture, the camera needs to be focused. Our focus is also key to living the prosperous life that God has for us. Successful people are not passively waiting for a positive outcome. Prospering involves doing our part.
So what is our part?
Getting to the desired outcome requires our participation. I’m going to share how asking yourself three questions will help you refocus, set a new course, and live the life God has for you.
The questions are 1. How did I get here? 2. How do I get out of here? 3. How do I get where I want to go?
1. How did I get here?
First acknowledge where you are, and how your choices have affected the course of your life. Where you are today is the result of the decisions and the focus of the past. Whether positive or negative, our choices have shaped our world.
Next examine what the current focus is, or think about what you think about. What are the things that capture your attention? What thoughts are recurring in your head?
If there are things you would like to change, chances are the recurring thoughts are negative. Whether it’s worry, fear, anxiety, depression, revenge or anger, we usually have at least one area or theme that plagues us. I know the loops in my head are rarely productive. I may not be able to stop the thoughts from coming, but I can interrupt them. That’s our next goal.
We can’t get to the promised land or our successful future with a negative mindset. Another shift is to intentionally challenge negative thoughts. In order to change what we have and get to a better place, we have to change our focus.
Whichever way you look, you will go.
The direction you look in is where you will go. If you want to change your direction, you have to change your focus. We are drawn toward what we look at and think about. Just like when you are driving or even riding a bike, where you look is where you will end up. Police officers know this, that is why pulling someone over is so dangerous. While driving, you have to look somewhere else in order to avoid running into things. The same is true for spiritual matters.
2. How do I get out of here?
How do I get out of this mindset? Choose a new direction. Determine the goal. This will set your course. I’m determined to live my best life. When we want a change in our circumstances, many times the first thing that comes to mind is what we don’t want. However, it’s not enough to say where you don’t want to go, you must be specific. If I’m traveling I have to know more than where I don’t want to go. If I don’t want to go to Arizona, that leaves many other possible directions. Just choosing where not to go is only a small portion of choosing where to go.
The value in getting clear about where you want to go
Getting clear about where you want to go is very valuable. It gives you aim. Your goal can start with a general focus. The images Psalm 23 gives of green pastures, still waters, and places of plenty are a good place to start. Proverbs 4:20-22 is another reference point. Make sure you keep your goal before you, by keeping the Word in your mind. Then that will open doors as you go. Investing time to focus on a vision of the end result is like a road map. Because what you envision directs your path.
The first step
In order to move forward, we have to let go of the past. Part of letting go is cleaning our internal windshield, and correcting our distorted vision. Of course forgiveness plays a big role in this.
Many times our biggest stumbling block or obstacle is our own perception. The way you view yourself can make a huge difference. Remember Numbers 13:32-33 MSG “So they spread this bad report about the land among the Israelites: “The land we traveled through and explored will devour anyone who goes to live there. All the people we saw were huge. We even saw giants there, the descendants of Anak. Next to them we felt like grasshoppers, and that’s what they thought, too!”
Take time to reinforce what the Bible tells us. You are God’s own handiwork. He created you to do good works. You are accepted in the Beloved. You are seated with Christ. We are sons of the Most High God.
How we see ourselves is how others will see and respond to us as well. It’s very rare to grow beyond the image we have in our mind. What we set our minds to will grow and manifest. So it’s important to let go of what we don’t want, and begin to see ourselves in a new light. Remember Philippians 3:13-15 and forget those things that are in the past. Let go of mistakes, hurts or failures. Press on toward the goal. Renew your mind. Your way of thinking is everything.
Step Two, Pray and Find Scripture
Second, pray and seek wisdom about which course of action is best for you. Then focus on scripture. It will give us a path to success. Joshua 1:8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
For example, if you’re not satisfied with your job or income, imagine your dream job. Focus on having all your needs met. What does that look like? How does that feel? Again, Psalm 23 is a good image of that land of plenty.
3. How do I get where I want to go?
In order to move in a new direction, we must have a new focus. Where we are now is the result of what we focused on yesterday. If we want something different for the future, then we have to make changes today. Your future success starts with the thoughts and dreams of today.
What does changing direction look like spiritually?
Here are three steps toward success. 1. vision, 2. meditation, and 3. confession
The New Vision
After praying, decide your goals for the future, and invest time building an image of success in your mind. You can make a vision board or put up pictures or other reminders of where you want to go. If it’s your health that is the issue, surround yourself with pictures of things you want to do. Even better put up pictures of days when you did those things.
Remember that your self image and confidence in your purpose is what promotes success. Usually we only grow as big as our internal vision will allow. Invest time thinking and dreaming bigger so that you can grow beyond the present circumstances.
Meditation
Your meditation is the focus of your thought life. The next step toward your goal is to receive it from God. When we receive a gift, our usual response is to say thank you. Pray and believe that the Lord has answered you. (Matthew 7:7) Begin to thank God for the changes you desire.
See yourself successful. Think over and over about reaching your goal. See yourself doing what you haven’t been able to do. Feel the success. Bask in the calm and joy of attaining your goal.
Confession
Of course we cannot forget the power of our words. We receive salvation by our confession, and the same is true for success. Start with a foundational scripture that builds your faith and confidence. Also choose scriptures that speak truth to the lies of anxiety, fear, depression, guilt, or any negative self image.
Seeing things as God sees them
To recap, the first step to seeing a better future is to clear out the negative baggage from the past.
Then we renew our mind with the promises of God and grow in our faith.
As we are encouraged to dream and imagine a better future, we need to be careful to visualize where we want to go.
The attention we give to something will draw us closer to it.
Finally, Invest time envisioning success for yourself. Rarely does anyone grow beyond the images they have in their mind. Just like a pet fish doesn’t grow bigger than the size of their tank. That means it’s time to dream bigger. What picture of your future do you have in your heart? We need to have a clear picture in order to get there.