We live in a world full of distractions and love affairs with our mobile phones! The dictionary definition of distraction is to ‘be pulled in different directions; to draw away in another direction and to draw in conflicting direction, create conflict or confusion’.

In our Christian walk we can encounter distractions in life that will hinder us from reaching our destiny in God. The enemy will present another enemy along your way to distract you. In 1 Samuel 17 we see that in King David’s case it was his big brother (Eli’ab). As long as David was focused on Eli’ab, he was no longer focused on the real enemy, Goliath. The enemy tried to get David distracted to fight the wrong enemy – as long as he fought Eli’ab, he would not be fighting Goliath.

Don’t get caught up fighting the wrong enemy. It could be the words from your husband or wife, a friend or someone in church that have offended you. If we don’t handle hurt well, the enemy will use our hurt to trap us in a cycle of unforgiveness which will eventually destroy us. Instead of defending yourself, bless people and realise that our warfare is not against flesh and blood, but principalities:

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Ephesians 6:12

The moment David turned his back on his brother he could see the real giant. I have seen many lives destroyed because of having a wrong focus; focusing on the negative, on the criticism of others, maybe false accusations. One day David did lose his focus – when he should have been at war, he was distracted by a beautiful woman. And while today men may not be distracted by a beautiful woman on the rooftop, they may be distracted on their desktop with pornography.

Bishop Dale Bronner said “Distraction is the destruction of your dream in slow motion”. Sometimes we are distracted by busyness and fail to see the opportunities before us; not all interruptions are distractions. We live in a world of distractions, we need to learn to be focused.

In Luke 10:38-42 we read how Martha was distracted by busyness. While I am not suggesting that we should become lazy, we should know how to sit at His feet and learn the unforced rhythms of grace. We need to be aware of the patterns of work-related stress. If you’re often commuting and working for long hours, you need to find a new rhythm, because we were not made to be under such pressure.

Read the parable of the sower in Matthew 13:7 and 13:22. The seed is the Word of God, God speaks His word into our hearts; it is powerful, it is alive. The seed can fall on different types of soil. The soil determines how much fruit we bear, that will glorify God. It is not the condition around us that determines if we are in the Spirit and receiving his Word, it is the condition of our hearts.

Distractions can come from our families (see Matthew 12:46-50). When you read the gospels, you get a glimpse that his family didn’t understand his destiny. Your husband, your wife may not carry the same understanding of your faith and maybe they distract you. Stay focused – because God is with you, you are not alone!

Distractions can come from false words and accusations. Words have the power of life and death. Whoever said ‘Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me’, was not living in the real world, for words do hurt. Take a look at the negative influences of social media, particularly in light of the recent tragic case of Caroline Flack.

Know how to fulfil your destiny; stay focused and position yourself in knowing God’s calling on your life. Paul in 2 Timothy 4:7 said “I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith”.

Reading 2 Samuel 23:11-12 we can see that sometimes we are not in a position to fight because we have lost our focus on who we are as believers. Because of the conflicting directions in life, we are confusion about our calling.

How do I feed the spiritual man?

• Know His presence.
• Know His provision.
• Know His plan for your life.

Reflect on Romans 8:28; distractions may come in life, but it cannot keep us from knowing God’s destiny for our lives, “for all things work together for good”. God says

I know the plans I have for you, plans for good, to give you a future and a hope

Jeremiah 29:11