What matters to you? Could it be family, Health? Wealth? Bucket list? Tasks for the day? Moving up the corporate ladder, or what others think? Hopefully, if you are a Christian, it is getting to know Jesus and serving Him more.
Now, ask yourself what are you focusing on? Is it on what matters? Sometimes, we even focus on things that move us backward instead of forward. As a person who lived with a deteriorating eye disease, I learned much about the importance of focus.
Initially, I had tunnel vision which automatically blocked out many distractions not in my field of vision. This improved my concentration when viewing the right thing, making It imperative I focused on what was important.
Now that I am blind and older, I am more distracted because noises have become distractible without having something visual to focus on. More information is now stored in my brain than when younger. More responsibilities also exist, tumbling thoughts from what I am doing to who I should remind of what. Can you relate?
The ability to get distracted and overwhelmed exists for all mankind. No one is exempt. That is why we must be intentional about making space for what matters. And that, my friend, doesn’t happen without focus. You can set goals all day long, but they will be impossible to carry out without making space to focus.
Once we know what matters, we can’t get there until we make space for it. We do this by decluttering our mind.
Declutter Your Mind: The Process
Acknowledge
Like those in recovery, we must first recognize, acknowledge, or admit, our minds are cluttered, and need emptying. They are full of unnecessary and harmful thoughts:
- grudges and un-forgiveness
- false beliefs of unworthiness and wrong teachings
- high expectations of self and others
Ask
Ask God to help examine ourselves to identify the hidden hurts, fears, and false beliefs we might have. Ask for His peace and courage.
Allow
While it might sound simple, this step is hard to achieve. It is not enough to admit and ask for help. We have to allow the help. God could reveal what we need to unload, but that doesn’t mean we will do it. Remember the old adage, “You can lead a horse to water, but can’t make them drink?” It’s time to surrender.
Attentive
Pay attention. Be mindful of our thoughts. God might be revealing what He wants us to surrender.
Be aware. Are your thoughts for you or against you? Do they move you toward Christ, or away? Now you know what to surrender.
Align
When our thoughts aren’t for us or don’t move us closer to Christ, we must align them with His truth. Seek Him first through prayer and the studying of His Word, the Bible.
Accept
As you are aligning your thoughts with God’s Word, you must accept it as truth. The adversary, the devil, will bring up old thoughts you threw away, tell you other lies, and attempt to distract you so you can’t remember. Accept, then hide these truths in your heart.
This process is on-going, beginning with the present, and moving backwards at a rate you can withstand. God will be with you.
Declutter Your Thoughts: Practical Tips
Pray
- ask God daily for His wisdom and direction
- ask Him to help you cast your cares as soon as they enter your mind
- ask for His peace
- ask Him to allow you to be thankful
- ask Him to give you rest in Him so you may think clearly
- of what matters
- things to do
- shopping lists
- appointments
- long-term projects
- wish lists
You may require more categories, but organize in groups. Analyze the best place to keep them, and to remember them. Knowing it is there to reference is a big first step to alleviating bottled up thoughts. From there, lists may be analyzed to schedule, determine if not important after time passes, save money for, or to delegate some of the tasks . . . as it is convenient.
Praise
Sing praises to the Lord, or listen to relaxing music to calm yourself when overwhelmed, or distracted.
Journaling is quite therapeutic. You can keep a journal of:
- feelings
- favorite verses or highlights from studying scripture
- what makes you happy
- what you are thankful for; your blessings
Journals assist in alleviating negative thoughts and replacing with good ones. They can also aid in observing triggers or reinforcers to our behavior.
Set Boundaries
Prevent distractions, protect your much-needed rest, and take control of your thought by setting boundaries.
- learn to say no when time is short
- learn to say no when you can, but isn’t what God asked you to do
- avoid negative people, news, or places of obligation only
You have to protect yourself! No one else will!
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© 2022, Jena Fellers. All rights reserved.
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