Originally posted 2020-12-03 16:56:20.
Hi!
As we delve into the title of this post, let us consider another question. “What things do you focus on?”
Many of us do not take notice of what we think about. Our days are filled with thoughts flooding in from a plethora of external experiences. We watch television shows, movies and news channels. We read books, listen to music, respond to text messages and scroll through our social media timelines. We talk to friends and family, dial into conference calls, and join Zoom meetings. We watch online church services, Bible studies and TED Talks.
These diverse communication avenues shape our thoughts without our realizing what is happening. We do not see when negative minions creep into our minds through our eye and ear gates. But, it is time to, “Think about what you think about.”
Here is an example!
You may be on a conference call or in a Zoom meeting, where someone continuously takes ridiculous jabs at you. They repeatedly try to illuminate your supposed mishaps with planned verbal attacks. They passionately accuse you of wrong doing and try to prove you to be insufficient.
Their lack of understanding coupled with their need to impress others glow as brightly as sunshine in a blue sky. They are clueless that you see their attempts to sway others’ opinions of you. Yet, as you discern their motive and dislike, you continue to treat them with kindness. But, how do their actions affect your thoughts?
Can you truthfully say that attacks do not bother you? Yes? They have no affect on you most of the time? Well, how so?
It is easy!
Keep your emotions out of it. Do not recompense any person evil for evil. Decide to not let trivial attitudes and transparent agendas affect you. Dwell in a perpetual state of lowered aggravation. 
Look past attackers’ unnecessary anger and see their need. Anyone on such a frivolous mission needs prayer, and so do you.
Obey the imperative Jesus stated in Matthew 5:44-45 KJV. The text says: “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.”
My friend, be consistent in not allowing anyone’s hostility towards you, light an angry fire in you. Perceive what is happening. Refuse to react to childish, catty competition. Avoid the need to justify yourself. If you are in error, admit it and keep going. If you are not in error, keep going. Do not dwell on attacks; keep going!
Again, do you know what you focus on?
Are you the type who always has a plethora of thoughts scurrying around your mind? Financial issues, wealth goals, sickness, housing, health maintenance, entrepreneurial ideas, business contracts and relationship steps may simultaneously bombard your mind. Brand development, family situations, educational pursuits, ministry assignments, book deals, new home construction and many more things may capture your attention.
At any given time, good, bad, large, small, complex, simple, uplifting or depressing thoughts drop in most people’s minds. But the question remains. “What do you focus on?”
Perhaps you wake up each morning flooded with regrets. Maybe you worry 
about something bad potentially coming your way. You may have trouble ripping the bandaid off of a deep emotional wound. Are you glued to the regrets, sorrow or pain?
Do you dwell on, “Where do I go from here?” Or, are you an escape artist? You know the type. The one who has mastered how to block things out of his or her mind? My friend, if that is you, please know that some blocking is focusing?
Think about it! When you block out painful thoughts from losses, rejections or deception by being STONE COLD, what do you focus on? Is it the next alcohol drink, joint, pill, push away tactic or impending isolation? Those are unhealthy escape routes. They are focal points that do not help.
Perhaps you are the settling type? Where are your thoughts in these instances? Do you spend ample time convincing yourself to see good in a troublesome, dead-end situation? Do these thoughts help and not hinder you?
What we focus on is where our hearts are centered.
Sometimes we utter words, and our hearts are not in that place. 
For instance, my sister an insincere man may say to you, “Baby, I love you!” His words sound heartfelt, but, he actually loves another woman. This is not male bashing. Because, my brother, the same holds true for women. We women are capable of doing the same thing.
We may say to the man we have settled on, “I love you Big Papa!” But, this love is not the same measure of love as the love for the man who makes butterflies jump in our stomach when we see him or hear his name mentioned. It reminds me of lyrics in a song released years ago. “If you can’t be with the one you love, love the one you’re with!”
My point?
Sometimes we have to let go and allow God to help us find joy right where we are. Don’t misunderstand. I am not saying to settle for someone or a situation that is not healthy. Do not develop a dat-a-do mentality. But, you have to learn to love where you are, say “Goodbye” to the past and expect a wonderful future. Sometimes that means severing ties with crowds from the past and current hindering crowds. Smile about the greatness God is showing you today.
How else can your thoughts help you?
When you think about what you focus on, does your mind start racing? Does it target in on a specific person, place, thing, event or situation? Do negative thoughts occupy more of your brain space than positive thoughts? If so, why? Perhaps frustration triggers more emotions. Maybe you are an analytical person 
who parse out everything people say to you. If so, do you ponder on inflictions from others longer than their positive remarks? If so, ‘STOP IT!’
Think about what you think about!
I read an article that discusses two natural chemicals in our brain that control behavior. Dopamine and cortisol. Dopamine comes when you have a warm fuzzy feeling brought on by positive experiences. Cortisol thrives on negative experiences. The two are at war in your brain. Study shows that cortisol tends to be the winner. But, that is why you must think about what you think about!
When we let the Word of God help us, scientific studies are not a match. Proverbs 23:7 KJV(a) says, “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:”
What we focus on matters!
Merriam-Webster defines focus as: “A center of activity, attraction, or attention; point of concentration; directed attention.” Where does your attention lie? What do you concentrate on?
When God has placed purpose in your spirit, it is a good thing to focus on it. You must place God first and not allow your professions and goals become your gods.
Maintaining focus without it becoming an obsession is a great thing. Teachers focus on educational enhancements. Musicians and lyricists hear melodies 
and words for songs in any situation. Writers often scribble notes while reading, meditating and conversing with others. Investors concentrate on profits in markets of interest. Entrepreneurs focus on monetization. Future scientists watch shows about chemicals, animals, and biology. Novelists and researchers read scores of books and take intense notes. Theologians do in-depth studies of the Word of God.
I am sure Thomas Edison not only saturated his mind on ways to get light to manifest in bulbs. But, he also must have focused on the end result. He must have seen in his mind before he saw with his eyes. He had to have seen light shining through the confines of a constricted object that would brighten any place.
In my opinion, that takes focus. Some say that Thomas Edison made over one thousand attempts while experimenting on the light bulb. Austen Bugden, an engineering technologist quoted Edison by penning, “It’s clear, a failure wasn’t failure to him. Failure was one step closer to a solution.”
My friend, what do you focus on? Do you focus on what went wrong in failed relationships? Do you beat yourself up with the mistakes you made in life? Do you fret over where you would be if you had not have experienced a major health crisis? Do you condemn yourself for having abortions, having children out of wedlock, quitting college, staying in a bad relationship too long, falling prey to legal trouble, or not making amends with your loved one before they passed away? Do you constantly grieve over the dreams and goals that did not happen?
Do you agree that when we focus on the many failures, dropped balls and setbacks; hindrances take place? When you give second, third, fourth or fifth thoughts to other’s dislike of you, it deprives your thoughts of the many positive things to think on.
It reminds me of the, “If only’s” and the “What if’s.” When I was a young girl, I wanted to be a doctor when I grew up. I wanted to find the cure for Sickle Cell Anemia. Well, I did not go to Med school for various reasons. I chose Business Administration and Accounting instead. Sometimes, when I see black female physicians, it reminds me of what did not happen. The “If only’s” try to creep in. But, I do not focus on the “if only’s!”
Even when you deal with current situations, how does focusing on them help you?
We are currently in a pandemic. Though we are to remember to wear our masks, maintain social distancing and wash our hands; focusing on the deadliness of the virus does not help. Many have experienced or are experiencing financial mishaps. Does focusing on possible calamities help? No!!! That does not mean we are not to think of ways to earn finances and do things differently. 
Those are positive concentrations. But, focusing on the problem does not help.
I received a phone call from a loved one a few week ago telling me that they might have COVID-19. They were exposed to someone who tested positive. The two of them went to be tested and received results in 2 to 6 days. I prayed, “Oh Lord, please do not let them test positive!”
Another concern was that one of them had been at my house. If they tested positive, I would have needed to go for testing. That call came in right after I came home from a routine doctor’s appointment. Even though, my doctor had given me a flu shot, I was concerned about my possible exposure to a carrier. Faith had to kick in. I could not focus on the coronavirus. I did drink my cups of hot tea made with fresh ginger root and honey. Yet, I had to think about scriptures for my loved ones and myself.
I have found that focusing on goals, great things, improvements and joyful moments of each day help me a lot. It is extremely encouraging to do what the Bible says in Philippians 4:8 KJV. “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
Intentionally focusing on the Holy Scriptures and positive, hopeful and inspiring things help me greatly. What about you?
My friend, remember to think about what you think about. Remember to ask yourself, “Do You Focus On The Things That Will Help?” I pray that you do!
Thank you for joining me today. We will talk soon.
Blessings!
Rochelle 🌹
