7 Ways to Eliminate Distractions from God and His Purpose for Your Life.

When it comes to living a purpose-driven life and staying aligned with God's plans, one of the most crucial aspects to consider is the ability to keep your mind fixed and focused.

In a world filled with distractions and temptations, maintaining a steadfast commitment to God's will can be challenging but ultimately rewarding.

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Understanding Distractions From God and Their Impact

God has a plan and purpose in our lives. We need to find ourselves fulfilling it, but sadly, many believers in Christ allow themselves to be distracted from it.

Distractions cause many car accidents. The number one reason drivers are distracted is talking and texting on cell phones. They are also distracted by GPS’s, adjusting music controls, applying makeup, talking to passengers, etc. The results of car accidents are financial loss, bodily injury, and/or even death.

Just like car accidents, believers have a list of reasons why they are distracted and how they impact their lives as well. Some distractions are from:

• Money

• Media

• Need for Entertainment

• Technology

• Relationships

• Routine

• Our Work

• Our Hobbies

• Busyness

• Worries of Life

• satan

• Or Simply Ourselves

The impact of being distracted as a follower of Jesus Christ can steer you away from His plan for your life. Ultimately, we can go to our graves, never fulfilling it. I don't know about you, but the last thing I want is for Jesus to show me all the things I missed in my life because I chose to allow distractions to occur.

The question is, how many brothers and sisters in Christ are in this position? I would say that the majority of professing Christians are distracted and not truly following God's plan. I know this is a hard pill to swallow.

Recognizing distractions in our lives and how they can pull us away from God's calling is the first step toward realigning our focus. And then, making plans on how to put a stop to them is the final nail in the coffin.

1. Standing on His Promise

In my opinion, this is one of the most transformational scriptures in the Bible. Read this over 3 times and really think about it for your life.

This is so powerful on so many levels. You can apply it to anything that pleases God for your life. Being a better spouse, parent, friend, servant, giver, and more pleases God. He will give you the desire and power to do it. We have to pray for it and believe it by faith. Then, we will see the Lord begin to work in our lives through the Holy Spirit. He will start guiding our lives in the direction of our prayer. Then, we must respond and be obedient to the Holy Spirit as He leads us.

Now, let's apply this scripture to facing distractions in your life. Pray the prayer:

"Lord, I know that living a life that is focused on you and free from distractions pleases you. I pray that you help me become free from distractions. Show me what is keeping me from you and holding me back. I pray you give me a desire to be free from distractions and give me the power to let go of anything that is. In Jesus' name, amen!"

I 100% believe that after praying this prayer over your life, you will begin to see God working in you. You will start noticing the Holy Spirit guiding you to make the right choices. As said before, I encourage you to follow those promptings and be obedient to what the Holy Spirit guides you to do.

2. Identify Distractions in Your Life

Have a heart-to-heart talk with the Lord

Nothing would bring greater joy to God than you asking Him what is distracting and keeping you from serving Him with your whole heart. I believe the Holy Spirit would go into overdrive to show you and would help you eliminate things in your life.

The key to this is listening and letting go of what He reveals to you. The worst thing you can do is ask for help and then do nothing. The Holy Spirit is a gentleman; He is not going to force you to do anything. He will only suggest. If you ignore Him too many times, He will stop suggesting.

Self-Reflection

Not only do we need a heart-to-heart talk with the Lord. We need a heart-to-heart talk with ourselves.

I don't know about you, but I love to write things down and analyze them. It is nothing for me to want to sort of speak, clean house in my life. I hate clutter, as in what is hindering me from moving forward to where I want to go.

You have to ask yourself what activities or habits are taking you away from God, what is not adding any value to your life, and what is keeping you from achieving the things God has placed in your heart. They may be perfectly healthy activities, but you realize they are not getting you where you want to go in life. You need to have the boldness to let them go.

Track Your Time

When we identify distractions in our lives, we must be intentional about it. I highly suggest keeping a log for a day or two. You will need to write down everything you do throughout the day.

I know this sounds like an extra chore, but it will be well worth it once you do. This will help you analyze where your time is going, and you may even be shocked. You will see things sneaking into your day-to-day life, ultimately robbing you of God's plan and purpose in your life.

Technology

I want to wrap technology all in one. We are more distracted by our cell phones, computers, TV, etc. than ever. It is nothing to spend countless hours using these devices for various reasons each day.

The obsession with entertainment has gotten out of control. I believe it has erroded our society on so many levels. It has even caused many to not be able to concentrate for a long period of time. I believe this has robbed so many from doing what God has for them.

Not only do we need to be aware of the use of technology in our lives, but we also need to put it away in many cases. I myself have gotten to the point where I am sick of TV because I have realized that it is robbing my life. I have made steps to minimize the amount I give to it each day.

2. Putting God First

When we truly put God first in our lives, we will have a heart's passion to make everything else line up with it. You will literally be able to say no to the things you see robbing and distracting you from God.

For example, this last Sunday, I was watching TV after church. I started to think about the show I was watching. There was nothing wrong with it. It was about an auction house in Atlanta, Georgia, auctioning off stuff. It's called Auction King. But, I was like, this is doing nothing for my life. I would rather be doing something more fruitful and productive. I shut it off and went to my office to study God's Word.

You will literally see yourself making decisions that will get you closer to the Lord and not further away. You will see those things in your heart from Him being fulfilled because He is first and not secondary in your life.

3. Renewing Your Mind with God's Word

In the King James version, it says, "Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind." We do this by reading His Word. Also, this verse promises that we will know God's will for our lives! Glory! It goes on to say that His will is good and pleasing and perfect! This is powerful on so many levels!

When we know God's will for our lives, we are less likely to allow ourselves to be distracted. I am like a bulldog on a bone. I know God's plan and purpose for my life. I am not letting go or won't be swayed either way. I am going to fulfill His plan for my life.

When you have this attitude in your heart, it is much harder for things to distract you. You will know what they are as they come at you. You will say, "No, that's a distraction, and I put a stop to you right now."

4. Living a Life of Prayer

This is one of the shortest verses in the Bible but one of the most powerful ones. Praying is our line of communication with the Father. Jesus' life is an example of living a life of prayer. Don't look at it as on your knees in constant prayer and getting nothing else done.

The way I teach this is that we should be communing with Father God all throughout the day. This is 100% possible. For example, my wife and I work together and are with each other 98% of the time during the day. It is nothing for us to talk to each other throughout the day. God lives inside of you through the Holy Spirit. You can talk to Him on a continuous basis. You just need to be intentional about it, and in time, it will be your lifestyle.

When we live a life of prayer, it's a two-way street. Communication goes both ways. God will speak to you, as well, as you are talking to Him throughout the day. He will help you deal with distractions and show you the ones that are robbing you. If you will listen and lay them down, I promise you will see distractions fall by the wayside.

5. Walk in the Spirit

As believers in Christ Jesus, we have the Holy Spirit inside of us. Galatians clearly says that we should be following the Spirit's leaving in EVERY part of our lives. Not some, but EVERY!

This is a hard pill for some to swallow. So many don't want to relinquish control over to the Lord that much. They want to live a Christian life in name only and not dive deep into it by surrendering all.

We have to determine what we want in our lives. I assume you are reading this blog post because you recognize that distractions are keeping you away from God and want to stop them. If that is the case, you need to surrender all and allow the Holy Spirit to lead all parts of your life. As you do, you will begin to see your thoughts and life laser-focused.

6. Keeping Things in Proper Balance

We can get so distracted by things that we think is important and lose total focus from the Lord. The world system has its way of doing that in our lives. We get so distracted by our careers, raising kids, our entertainment needs, etc. They all can be wholesome, but we can have a tendancy of getting them out of proper balance and not keeping our eyes on God.

Martha was focused on getting dinner ready while Mary was focusing on Jesus. Don't get me wrong, dinner is important as well, but let's weigh things out in their proper perspective. Jesus, the Lord of Lords, the King of Kings, was present in their home. He was not concerned about dinner. He was more concerned about being a blessing and imparting His words. He went on to tell Martha, "You are worried and upset over all these details! Mary has discovered something worth more, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Be careful not to get so consumed with life. When we do, we can get out of balance and, in time, put our relationship with God on the side. It will always be secondary and not primary.

One final note: the devil is so good at throwing things at you and making you feel they need your attention, only to distract you.

7. Don't Let the Shiny Things Distract You, Be Patient

So many times, we know God's plan for our lives and are chasing after it, but we want it faster than it is coming. We don't realize it is a process that takes time. Along the way, we get distracted by the shiny things. They get our attention and take us off course. We think these shiny things are better opportunities and will get us what we want quicker.

You are here reading my blog post on my website, Life is Jesus Christ. It's a platform I started a year ago. It is no where I want it to be. But, God told me that it will be a 3 year process to get it where I want it and then ultimately, a 5 year investment of my life to where the fruit of it will be abountiful. He clearly told me to enjoy the journey. I must be patient, allowing Him to grow it.

Hebrews clearly tell us that we must be patient and endure as we work out God’s plan for our lives. As we do, we will receive everything He has promised us.

Don’t let anything shiny distract you. When new opportunities come your way, you know they are not God’s plan for your life. Just smile and say no, thank you. It’s not for me. I am going to stay on the course that the Lord has given me. It doesn’t matter how good it looks. Stay away from it.

Wrapping it Up

Staying truly focused on God's plan requires diligence in overcoming distractions. Identify what distracts you from God's purposes by self-evaluation, tracking your time, and asking God for clarity. Put Him first by renewing your mind in His Word, praying continually, and obeying the Holy Spirit's guidance in every area of life.

Also, maintain the proper perspective by balancing responsibilities without letting them consume you. Patiently endure, resisting tempting "shiny" diversions that could pull you off course. Don't merely have a Christian lifestyle, but wholeheartedly pursue God's perfect will. By implementing these strategies, you can live aligned with God's purpose, receiving all He has promised.

Scriptures about Distractions

Colossians 3:2

1 Corinthians 7:35

Titus 3:3-5

Romans 12:2

Psalm 86:11

1 Peter 5:8

James 4:8

Ephesians 6:16

Matthew 6:24

Mark 4:19

Frequently Asked Questions

What keeps us away from God?

Have you ever wondered what keeps us away from God? The Scriptures make it clear that it is the desires of the flesh and the temptations of the world that draw us away from His presence (1 John 2:15-16). We must be vigilant and guard our hearts against these distractions that hinder our relationship with the Lord. Let us turn away from worldly pursuits and instead focus on seeking His kingdom first (Matthew 6:33).

The worries and cares of this life can also keep us from drawing closer to God. Jesus warned us about the deceitfulness of riches and how they can choke out the word of God in our lives (Matthew 13:22). Let us not be consumed by the pursuit of wealth and material possessions, but instead place our trust in the Lord who provides for all our needs (Philippians 4:19).

Pride and self-righteousness are also barriers that separate us from God. The Scriptures remind us that God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6). Let us humble ourselves before the Lord, acknowledging our need for His grace and seeking to walk in humility and obedience to His will (Micah 6:8).

Let us be mindful of the things that keep us away from God and strive to remove them from our lives. By staying rooted in His Word and seeking His presence through prayer and worship, we can overcome these obstacles and draw nearer to Him. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, and run the race set before us with endurance (Hebrews 12:1-2).

What can hinder God's presence?

Our distractions, busyness, and pursuit of worldly pleasures can easily divert our attention away from Him. The desire for material wealth, fame, and success can cloud our minds and hearts, preventing us from experiencing the fullness of God's presence. In Psalm 119:37, the psalmist asks God to turn his eyes away from worthless things, and in Matthew 6:24, Jesus warns that no one can serve both God and money.

The pressures of society, culture, and peer influence can also hinder God's presence in our lives. When we conform to the patterns of this world, we risk losing sight of God's will and purpose for us. Romans 12:2 reminds us not to conform to the ways of this world but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. When we prioritize the opinions of others over God's truth, we distance ourselves from His presence.

Lastly, our own pride, selfishness, and lack of humility can hinder God's presence from dwelling within us. In James 4:6, we are reminded that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. When we exalt ourselves and seek recognition and praise from others, we diminish the space for God to work in our lives. Let us humble ourselves before the Lord, seek His presence above all else, and allow His Spirit to guide us in all things.

How does the enemy try to distract you from God's plan?

The enemy uses many tactics to distract us from God's plan for our lives. Just like how he tempted Jesus in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11), he tries to deceive us with lies and lure us away from the path God has set before us. We must be vigilant and armor ourselves with the Word of God to combat these distractions.

The enemy may disguise his distractions as harmless pleasures or worldly desires, but we must remember the words of 1 Peter 5:8, "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." By staying rooted in prayer and seeking God's guidance, we can overcome any distractions that come our way.

Let us not be swayed by the enemy's schemes, but instead, let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). In times of temptation and distraction, let us turn to the truth of God's word and find strength in His promises to guide us back to His perfect plan for our lives.

Shawn Paul is an author and missionary who has been living and working in Central America for the past 10 years. He is passionate about living for Jesus Christ and inspiring others to do the same, which is the focus of his blog, where he shares his expertise in Christianity.

In addition to his missionary work, Shawn enjoys reading books, studying God's Word, growing plants and flowers, feeding birds, and keeping up with the latest technology.

As a writer, Shawn's unique perspective and passion for his faith shine through in his work. Shawn's goal for the future is to impact people around the world for Jesus through his writing and missionary work.