As a follow-up to the first part of this article titled Distraction – Causes and Effects, this second part of the article seeks to provide some biblical counsel that could help in overcoming pressing distractions. Below are some of the strategies to overcoming pressing distractions.

Be Contented: Contentment is being grateful to God for who you are, where you are and what you have, while trusting Him to complete His good work on and in you. An effective strategy to combating distraction is to be contented with who we are and where we are. Lack of it will plunge us into unnecessary competition with our contemporaries and set us on an endless chase of the wind. The Apostle Paul understood this secret to a fulfilled living, and he testified to the Philippian Church that, “Not that I am implying that I was in any personal want, for I have learned how to be content (satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or disquieted) in whatever state I am” (Philippians 4:11 AMP). Passing the same counsel to young Timothy, he exhorts: “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain that we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment, let us be therewith content” (1Timothy 6:6-8). Contentment exempts us from the worldly rumbles and worries of this life. We live each day with joy and gratitude to God and stay focused on our life’s assignment when we are contented. When we’re contented, we’re not easily swayed away by the lures of wicked men. It checks our company and purges us of the excesses that are capable of constituting distractions. According to the Bible, we lose nothing by being contented – rather, it is a great gain, when in harmony with godliness.

An effective strategy to combating distraction is to be contented with who we are and where we are. Lack of it will plunge us into unnecessary competition with our contemporaries and set us in an endless chase of the wind.

Be Disciplined: Discipline is another key to overcoming distraction. With all his accomplishments and exploits, the Apostle Paul still made us to know that “I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what I should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified” (1 Corinthians 9:27 NLT). If such a man with an outstanding profile, needed to enforce discipline on his body in order to stay on course, you and me have no option than do the same. The things that are calling our attention are increasing on a daily basis, and these will only increase. It takes a resolute determination and discipline to say ‘NO’ when it matters.  We must enforce discipline on ourselves in our use of phones, computers, social media engagement, watching the television, choice of friends, etc., lest we become entangled by these things and gradually lose sight of God. All these things in themselves are not bad, but how we relate with them matters. Even things as good as food and sleep can become distractions when we take them to the extreme and allow them lord over us. The wise king of Israel who experienced the pleasures of life, counseled us to “Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that’s where life starts” (Proverbs 4:23 MSG). The need to find a healthy balance in the way we relate with technology and other things that can get us enslaved is very important. Discipline simply is prioritizing that which has spiritual and eternal value to us, and which will leave a lasting impact on humanity for good in our daily activities, while we cut down on the trivial per time. This can help us evade distractions.

The things that are calling our attention are increasing on a daily basis, and these, will only increase. It takes a resolute determination and discipline to say ‘NO’ when it matters.

Live on the Word of God: The Word of God is the right tool to get us focused on our journey on this side of eternity. It is the sure antidote to the distraction which arises from the lures of sin, worldly pleasures, and the worries of this life. While ruminating on the promises of God, we are encouraged to maintain focus because “…the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18). Understanding the role of the Word of God in keeping one from distraction, David prayed, “Order my steps in your Word: and let not iniquity have dominion over me” (Psalm 119:133). When we make the Word of God a subject of meditation in our heart, it becomes difficult for it to wander in the wrong direction. It is to this end that the Bible counsels, “Dear friend, listen well to my words; tune your ears to my voice. Keep my message in plain view at all times. Concentrate! Learn it by heart!” (Proverbs 4:20-21 MSG). So, the Word of God is sure in enabling us to overcome distractions and helping us to fulfill the purpose of God for our lives. It was written of Jesus, that for the joy that was set before Him, He endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:2). When Satan wanted to interject Jesus’ mission during His 40-day fast, it was by the word of God that Jesus incapacitated him (Matthew 4:1-11). Jesus’ focus on the joy ahead kept Him going even amid suffering and shame. We can draw encouragement from Him and stay on course as we ponder on His Word. Based on God’s promises, we’re aware that our stay on earth is timed (temporary); this gives us hope and strengthens our faith to overcome pressing distractions.    

When we make the Word of God the subject of meditation in our heart, it becomes difficult for it to wander in the wrong direction.

Be Prayerful: We find wisdom in the model prayer taught by Christ to His disciples: “And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil: for thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory, for ever. Amen” (Matthew 6:13).Temptation is a form of distraction which is meant to take us away from God’s eternal purpose for our lives; Christ enjoins us to pray so that we’re not led into it. Christ, during His passion, when the human nature wanted to interfere with Him fulfilling the eternal will of God for humanity, turned to the Father in prayer. He said unto His disciples, “My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. And He said, Abba Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless, not what I will but what thou wilt” (Mark 14:34, 36). As He prayed, He was strengthened by an angel of God to fulfil God’s eternal will of restoring man to God (Luke 22:43). We also, when we are prayerful, we are strengthened by the Lord to overcome every distraction. Jesus also cautioned His disciples to “Watch and pray that you enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 46:41). Besides giving us strength, prayer also sets us on alert; it awakens our spiritual consciousness to the tricks of the devil thereby enabling us to elude them. In helping us overcome distraction, prayer enhances our dependence on God so that we are not easily swayed by the enemy’s lures.  

Besides giving us strength, prayer also sets us on alert; it awakens our spiritual consciousness to the tricks of the devil thereby enabling us to elude them.

Keep the Right Company: In overcoming distractions, our company matters. The word of God clearly points out that “Become wise by walking with the wise; hang out with fools and watch your life fall to pieces” (Proverbs 13:20 MSG). It is true that no man is an isolated Island; therefore, the right company can help you fulfil your purpose just as the wrong company can destroy your destiny. A good example of the right company is the Church, a body of believers from whom you can get such encouragement that can help you to fulfil your life’s assignment. God’s Word clearly warns against being unequally yoked with unbelievers (2Corinthians 6:14-17).  Since we’re not heading in the same destination with them, the things that get their attention are quite different from our priorities. The right company can also be in the form of a mentor who helps you to grow professionally and otherwise. It can also be an accountability friend or partner who always tells you the truth and wants the best for you. When we have such companies in our lives, we’re bound to get to God’s finish line for our lives.

Always Work with a Plan: A life without a plan is like a car that is on motion but heading nowhere. A plan helps us to maintain focus and knocks off unnecessary encroachment into our schedules. Christ encouraged the idea of planning when He gave this illustration in Luke 14:28-30: “Is there anyone here who, planning to build a new house, doesn’t first sit down and figure the cost so you’ll know if you can complete it? If you only get the foundation laid and then run out of money, you’re going to look pretty foolish. Everyone passing by will poke fun at you (MSG)”.Planning helps us to prioritize our schedules and to put off that which is unimportant. Planning helps us maximize effort and make us more productive at what we do. When we plan it can help us avoid some unnecessary losses that would have happened as a result of pressing distractions. God has a plan for each one of our lives (Jeremiah 29:11); we also need to maintain a daily, weekly, monthly, and annual plan in accordance with God’s plan for our lives to enable us to overcome every form of distraction on our path to fulfilling purpose.

When we plan, it can help us avoid some unnecessary losses that would have happened as a result of pressing distractions.

A Final Note

In conclusion, whether we are prepared for it or not, distractions must come. What is important is how we handle them – whether we fell for or overcame them. The word of God encourages us that “…since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who have borne testimony to the truth], let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us. Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and enduring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1-2, AMP).May the Lord grant us grace to overcome every distraction and make it to our final destination with Him. Amen.

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