Pay Careful Attention!

Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. 

Galatians 6:4

PAY CAREFUL ATTENTION TO YOUR OWN WORK!!

I say this phrase a LOT in my home as a mother of eight children. I watch as they compare their chores and actions to one another from a place of judgment, comparison, and jealousy. Each child can spend so much time comparing themselves to others that they miss out on joy, in the midst of their frustration!

Have you ever found yourself so wound up in other people that you neglected the voice of God?

 I stand guilty as charged!

Lately, I have realized that I am JUST as guilty of this sin as my children. I have been so distracted by others, their opinions, their actions, that I have neglected my own giftings and assignments. So much so, that early this year I found myself anxious, depressed, and second-guessing EVERYTHING the Lord had spoken over my life. I fell into the trap of distraction that the enemy had set for me. And in doing so, I missed out on sleep, having a sound mind, peace, AND opportunities.

Have you ever found yourself so wound up in other people that you neglected the voice of God?

Have you ever been so unfocused that the enemy robbed you of your mental health or an opportunity?

Fortunately, we are not alone. We see this in the story of Joshua 9. Joshua had been commissioned to go forth and take hold of the promised land. Along with his soldiers, they began to overtake each portion of the promised land. So much so that the neighboring cities started to fear what would happen to them if Joshua and the Israelites came into their cities. So, those in the land of Gibeon had a clever plan to distract the Israelites. This move would cheat the Israelites out of a portion of the land that was their inheritance!

But when the people of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai, they resorted to deception to save themselves. They sent ambassadors to Joshua, loading their donkeys with weathered saddlebags and old, patched wineskins. They put on worn-out, patched sandals and ragged clothes. And the bread they took with them was dry and moldy. When they arrived at the camp of Israel at Gilgal, they told Joshua and the men of Israel, “We have come from a distant land to ask you to make a peace treaty with us.”

 Joshua 9:3-7

So the Israelites examined their food, but they did not consult the Lord. Then Joshua made a peace treaty with them and guaranteed their safety, and the leaders of the community ratified their agreement with a binding oath.

Joshua 9:14-15

Notice, the Israelites were looking only at the people in front of them. They looked at their busted shoes, their moldy bread, and believed what they had to say. Without consulting the Lord and remembering the promises of God on their lives, they cheated themselves out of FULL possession of the Promised Land! Instead of paying careful attention to what God had called them to possess, they relied on their own logic and the words of people who had NO good intentions for them.

This is why we MUST be careful to pause, pray, and ask the Lord for direction on the purposes He has for our lives. When we fail to do so, we miss out on blessings for ourselves and the blessings God has for our generations!

It is risky business to allow distraction to be

louder than God's voice in your life.

Today, ask yourself what would happen if you poured yourself into what God called you to do?

How many people would be impacted through my act of obedience?

Better yet, how many people have been impacted by your distractions or lack of obedience?

How much time have we wasted being annoyed about other people and how their actions, that we forget to examine ourselves?

Friends, the enemy LOVES to distract God’s children in this way since the beginning of time (Cain and Abel )! Thankfully, the Lord sees our weakness and has the ability to turn it all around for His glory.

May today be a moment of resetting and getting focused on the Lord and the work He has entrusted you with. By doing this, your life AND everyone close to you will be impacted in a GREAT way!

Thanks so much for reading! My name is Victoria, and I am so thankful that you took a moment to read my blog. My prayer is that you are encouraged to run closer to Jesus than ever before. There is no relationship like one with Jesus! If you haven't already, I invite you to purchase my new book Warrior Mother: Equipping Your Heart To Fight For Your Family's Faith or the Victory Walk: A 21 Day Devotional on Amazon today by clicking here. While you await your new book, head over to itunes, Spotify, Youtube or Amazon Music and sing out your victory with my latest single,"How Can It Be?

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