Joshua 9:14 The Israelites sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the Lord.
Exhaustion can cause destructive distraction to our spiritual visualization. Distraction is nothing but diversion or divided vision. If our car runs out of oil, the engine will jam. Similarly if we run out of oil of anointing and fuel of prayer our spiritual engine will jam and fail. We will fall into destructive failures, ugly flaws and malfunction when we ignore servicing our spiritual engine. Our regular, methodical and uninterrupted time in His presence in prayer will keep our spiritual man refuelled, re-oiled and revitalised.
Peter was able to walk on water until he was distracted by the raging sea and storm. Moses missed his destiny when he got distracted by the criticism of the people and struck instead of speaking to the rock. Joshua was fooled by the Gibeonites as he did not stop and pray before signing a peace treaty with the Gibeonites. Distraction causes a tug of war within us to divert us from our destiny direction.
Three distraction to watch out are:
1. Situation: The circumstance around us, social media, newspaper and grapevine could distract our focus from the promise. We hear about falling economies and crashing markets day after day and large corporate going into liquidation and factories closing. When the threat around us gets louder and fiercer, we must learn to fix our eyes on Jesus. These distractions shake our faith and smack us down with fear. As long as Peter fixed his eyes on Jesus he was able to do the impossible and walk on water. The moment he looked at the circumstance around him he started sinking. Win the war of distraction by fixing your eyes on Jesus. Don’t be distracted by the storm clouds but stay focused on Jesus.
2. Condemnation: Criticism, cynicism and condemnation of people around us can distract and disturb our focus. Moses was distracted by the complaining, blaming and nagging people around him. His distraction was the disapproval of people that made him miss his destiny. When distracted by the voice of the critiques, he ignored the instructions from the Lord and struck the rock instead of speaking to it. Be cautious to discern constructive criticism with destructive distracting dissatisfaction. The thin line of difference between the two is that, constructive criticism might not be pleasant to hear but will be productive to our soul whereas condemning censure will distract, divert and derail us from our destiny. Win the war of condemning distractions. Don’t be distracted by disapproval of people – even Jesus had crude critiques.
3. Exhaustion: Busyness can cause exhaustion and destructive distraction. Never drive when you’re tired or sleepy. The bill boards along the highway warn us over and over again to stop and rest. Our spiritual life also needs rest, refuelling and refilling. Joshua was conquering the promise land. He was invading into the land and overtaking city after city. In his busyness he did not inquire of the Lord and was tricked by the Gibeonites. Exhaustion is a very destructive distraction not only on the freeway but also in the spiritual highway. Stop, pray, inquire of the Lord. Don’t be distracted by external evidences, doctor’s reports, proofs or facts. Rejuvenate and resuscitate in the presence of the Lord. Rest when exhausted – even Jesus rested.
Distraction is the destructive diversion to our spiritual life. The tug of war is between faith and fear; truth and facts; conviction and condemnation. Win the war of distraction and fix your eyes on Jesus.
Matthew 11:40 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, keep me from destructive distractions that could derail me from my destiny. Let me not be distracted by circumstances, criticisms and condemnation but be focused on you and your Word. Amen
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