What You Focus on You Magnify

(This blog is dedicated to my amazing Pastor’s Matt and Lynn Clayton. Thank you both for your wise teaching, dedication to advancing the kingdom and for your humble, strong leadership.)

So often these days I have had my perpetual train of thought interrupted by another voice. 

“How long are you going to go focus on that?”, the Holy Spirit gently asks. 

I startle back to reality and answer internally, “Oops, you’re right. I was overthinking that one. Again.”  

The Holy Spirit’s voice can be subtle. Quiet, usually. But persistent. Let’s just take a moment and thank God for that. It redirects our focus back onto The One who should be the focus of everything. Jesus. Almighty God. The Creator, Healer and Prince of Peace! 

It’s so easy to get distracted. We are often pulled in a million different directions. It is common to allow our thoughts to wander as we process conversations, mull over decisions or dream of a better future. Giving time to process hurts, grieve losses and pursue passions is healthy and natural. Yet, allowing the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit to nudge us when we are trailing deeper and deeper into a negative thought pattern is always of great benefit.

Have you ever been so fully immersed in a train of thought while driving that you are unsure how you arrived at your destination? Or maybe you have been shaken by the depth your mind will take you when left unchecked. I know I have.

What does the word of God say about these things? 

The first scripture that comes to mind is found in 2 Corinthians 10:5 and it reads, 

“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 

This verse teaches us that every thought that comes into our mind is not our own and we do not have to allow it a place to reside. We can (and must) cast evil thoughts down. Any thought that sets itself up against the knowledge of God. We can (and must) take captive every thought that is not pleasing to the Lord. 

This takes practice and persistence. 

When accomplished, there is great peace. 

A second verse that expands on the focus we should work towards is Philippians 4:8. In this scripture Paul writes,

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things.”

What we focus on we magnify. Isn’t that the powerful truth?

I first heard that statement made during a Sunday sermon by my Pastor’s Matt and Lynn Clayton. I thought to myself, “That is good! So true!” It’s a phrase that stuck with me like glue – and the Lord has used it to redirect me many times. 

What am I focusing on? 

Where is your focus? 

Are we putting focus on ourselves first? I know I’m guilty of that.  Are we focusing on our own enjoyment, employment, wealth, relationships or health? None of those things are wrong, if kept in balance. Yet if they become our main focus, we magnify them into much bigger issues than what is good for us. Life gets overwhelming and our focus becomes redirected off of The Lord and onto the chaos of distractions. We begin to sink into the watery depths of an ocean full of thoughts. 

There is a reason the word of God reminds us so many times to not be anxious, and not to fear. Because we, as the human race, are prone to trying to solve our own problems. We allow our focus to be on anything that brings us instant gratification and comes at a lesser cost than the price paid of disciplining ourselves to hear the voice of the Father. We naturally crave the easy fix.

However, when I listen, I hear the gentle voice of The Holy Spirit whisper in my ear, “How long are you going to focus on that?” It’s then that my focus shifts back to Jesus. He has all the answers. His presence is my peace and His direction will never lead me astray.

David wrote in Psalms 69:30,

“I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.” 

What we focus on we magnify. Focus on Him first. Everything else is second.

“O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.” Psalm 34:3

When our focus magnifies the Lord, our anxious thoughts fade away. A magnificent tidal wave of His peace comes over us.

“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” Isaiah 26:3 

So, “Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you.” (Proverbs 4:25)

Let us be like Mary who said, “My soul doth magnify the Lord” (Luke 1:46) 

Amen? 

What you focus on you magnify. 

Jesus, let our focus remain on you! 

Be blessed, friends 

~ Stephanie