Distraction...

Ever feel distracted? Like when you are so focused then something catches your eye & you lose that focus? I feel it. I feel it in a big, bad way. And I don't like it. These distractions happen every so often to try to get our focus off of 'the One'. And by 'the One', I mean, God. The past few weeks have been filled with ups and downs in my life...distractions that are trying to pull me away from my focus. It started with the deaths of my great-uncle and a friend of mine. I took my first big hits then. But that didn't take my full focus away. I know that those two beautiful souls are enjoying the presence of Jesus now. The next hit was the big hit and it was most painful. My heart still hurts over this and it is something that I need to keep private. Something that I am still trying to figure out but learning to let it go as well. It is out of my control. With these occurrences, this verse comes to mind: 1 Peter 5:8 (NIV) "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." When you know that you are on the right track & you have your eyes focused on the cross, the devil is ready for attack. He is ready to tear you apart...rip you to shreds! Satan will throw little 'distractions' out there to get your eyes off of Christ. With me, he tried to distract me with sad thoughts and fear after deaths. I was torn up after my friend, KJ, passed away because she left behind two cats that her family & friends did not want to care for. I took them in and my allergies went ballistic! Never in my life have I EVER had an allergic reaction to cats. I mean, hey, I'm a cat person! When I was a child, I would tell people that I wanted a cat farm when I grew up. (So thankful that God opened my eyes to this one & I only have 2 little fur babies to care for). I had to give those cats up after one night of them being in my home. I honestly felt like I had let down my friend. In my heart, I felt like I was taking care of her babies (KJ was a single woman with no kids...her furry babies were her kids). So I grieved. I cried. I had anxiety attacks like I had several years ago before I gave it all to Christ! And I thought "what is wrong with me?! This isn't me anymore!" With the "private" situation, Satan attacked my mind with thoughts of never being able to trust anyone. My mind was flooded with thoughts of the past pain I had overcome. With pain that I had dealt with for years and finally felt like I had been able to move past it within the past year or so. I began to think thoughts like "Why?! This isn't fair! Not again!" And that's when I dove into the Word of God! I've been reading a devotional called "She Reads Truth: Prayer in the Bible" and recently completed "She Reads Truth: Philippians & Colossians". These devotionals have helped me crawl out of this dark hole that I feel like I've been thrown into. My focus is still not where I want it to be completely, but I see Christ's hand reaching for me & helping me get out of this funk. My stubborn side is still saying "you can handle this on your own!" yet my mind is saying "Girl, get your act together. Christ is calling...you better hold tight to him!" "Rejoice in confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying." Romans 12:12 NLT. My hope is found in Jesus. This too shall pass and may God's will be done.