Life moves fast, and distraction has become a way of life. Between social media feeds, constant notifications, work demands, and the pressure to always be “on,” we can find ourselves torn in a dozen different directions—running on fumes. Even the things that once refreshed us can start to feel like noise. And if we’re not careful, our walk with God can slip quietly to the backseat while everything else screams for center stage.
We say we want to keep God first. But the truth is that it can be challenging at times, and it’s not because we don’t love Him. It’s because there’s always something competing for our focus—our fears, our phones, our families, our ambitions, our pain. It can happen in a quick minute—we end up living spiritually malnourished, wondering why we feel empty even though we’ve been busy the whole time.
The Fight for Focus Is Spiritual
It’s not just about having a packed schedule—it’s a spiritual battle. The enemy knows that if he can’t pull you away from God completely, he’ll at least try to keep you distracted enough that you’re no longer tuned in. That’s why Paul tells us in Ephesians 6:11 (NLT): “Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.”
Distraction is one of the devil’s oldest strategies. And sometimes it looks innocent—like binge-watching a show after a long day or scrolling endlessly because your brain is tired. But if we never pause to listen, to worship, to pray, or to be still in God’s presence, we start to forget who we are and what really matters.
It All Starts with Seeking
Matthew 6:33 (NLT) reminds us: “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” This is a one-time suggestion. Jesus Christ is showing us how to reorder our lives so that everything flows from the right center.
Notice the promise: He will give you everything you need. This is golden—but it starts with your focus. Seeking God first doesn’t mean ignoring your responsibilities. It means filtering everything—your decisions, your emotions, your priorities—through your relationship with Him.
Stillness Isn’t Doing Nothing—It’s Obedience
Psalm 46:10 (NLT) says: “Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” A lot of us struggle with stillness, thinking it means we’re not doing enough. But the truth is, we need to look to Christ’s example. In John 6:38 (NLT), He said, “For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will.” Jesus showed us that stillness isn’t about being inactive—it’s about aligning ourselves with God’s purpose. It’s in that space of surrender that we find true productivity in Him.
God isn’t impressed with our busyness. He’s looking for people who will slow down long enough to recognize His voice again. We get our marching orders from Him, and then we move out. Jesus stilled Himself, praying in the wee hours of the morning, getting quiet with God so that He could hear and follow. This is our example. God’s voice is the momentum and energy that carries us through our days. And we fix our attention on Him, that’s when we get into His heavenly flow. It’s in this stillness that clarity comes. Peace returns, and we begin to see again what matters most. ■
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
“When Everything’s Competing for Your Attention”, written for Springfield Fellowship © 2025. All rights reserved. All praise and honor to God through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.