Shifting Your Focus
“And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.”-Matthew 14:28 NKJV
It is amazing how quickly things can change of run when we make the choice to Shift Our Focus. Peter one minute is facing clear and present danger, being in a boat in the middle of a storm, and the next minute Peter is walking on the water. You talk about a complete turn around!
What made the difference? Somewhere in the midst of this mayhem, Peter shifted his focus from his present situation to the presence of his Savior. Peter shifted his focus from the problem to the possibilities.
Shifting your focus in the storm means that we intentionally choose not to allow the reality of the storm to be our sole focus point. Yeah, we know the storm is there.. but we do not allow it to consume our attention.
Three ways to shift your focus:
- LOOK for Christ. The disciples didn’t immediately recognize Jesus. They thought they were seeing a ghost. Shifting our focus means to we intentionally LOOK for Jesus to show up in our circumstances. Even when He is not readily and easily found, know by faith He is there. Problems and troubles can obscure our spiritual vision so that all we can see is the storm before us. The eyes of Fatih says.. “I know He’s around here somewhere” because He promised to never leave me or forsake me.” If we seek Him we will find Him.
- LISTEN To Christ. There was so much vying for the attention of the disciples. There was the storm, then there was the water, then there was the waves, then there was the wind, then there was the rocking of the boat, etc.. All of the noice and commotion from the problem can block the voice of our God. He is speaking in the midst of your problem. “But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” Shifting your focus will help you to find comfort in the middle of chaos and a calm in the middle of calamity.
- EMBRACE the Vision of Christ. Peter shifting his focus and seeing Jesus walking on the water stirred within Peter a greater vision for his future. No longer was being in a boat tossed by the sea the only possibility for his moment. He saw himself walking on the water. That what shifting your focus to Christ will do for you in the storm, it will give you a greater vision for what is possible for your future.
