Victory Over Distractions
James 4:8 (NLT)
“Come close to God, and God will come close to you”
I’m currently reading a devotional called ManifestHER Daily: Becoming Fully Committed by BWFwoman on the Bible app. In one of the days of the devotional, she mentions the Bible verse above, but in a different translation.
“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you”
Ok, so what does this have to do about being victorious over distractions?
This devotional actually made me realize something new about this verse. Getting closer to God means that we intentionally spend more time with Him. By drawing near to Him, our focus and attention are given solely to God. That means we will have less time for distractions, since our energy is spent on our relationship with the Lord!
The verse continues on to say that God will come close to us as we come closer to Him. As we do this, there is an exchange that only an amazing Father can and will do. As we spend time with Him, He will give us joy, peace, wisdom, remove fear, remove worry, or what ever we may need at that given time. When He has done these things and we realize He has done them in us or our lives, we lose the desire to be entangled with distractions.
How do I get closer to God?
There isn’t one single answer for this question, since there are multiple ways to get closer to and spend time with the Lord. I gave some examples on how to spend time with the Lord in my Dealing with Grief post. I’ll list them out here, but please review that post for more explanation for each of them:
Read the Bible
Worship Him
Prayer
Soaking in His presence
Meditation
Again, please click here to view the Dealing with Grief post for more explanation.
I think I already shared these videos before, but they are too good not to share.
It is always good to sit back and remember what God has done for us throughout our lives. It humbles us while simultaneously strengthening our hope and faith in the things we are trusting God with now.
I’ve included lyrics with these videos if you’d like to worship along with them.
Blessings!
Verse 1:
I remember when I was young
And your voice shouting loud my name
Since that moment
Never heard it quite that way
Now that I’m older
Could you say it again
Verse 2:
I remember when I was afraid
Oh the hand I felt lead the way
For the first time in my life I felt safe
Now that I’m older
Would you lead me again
Chorus:
When the storm is out on the ocean
And the violent wind get’s to blowing
Oh take me back, back
All the way back
Oh take me back to my first love
Verse 3:
I remember when I was blind
Until your love opened up my eyes
Oh my life, flooded with your light
Now that I’m older
Would you show me again
Oh would you show me again
Chorus:
When the storm is out on the ocean
And the violent wind get’s to blowing
Oh take me back, back
All the way back
Oh take me back to my first love
Bridge:
You are real to me
I’ve known it from the start
There’s no space between
The Heaven’s and my heart
You are near to me
I’ve never been too far
And in the in between
You brought Heaven to my heart
Verse 1
I love You Lord
Oh Your mercy never fails me
All my days
I've been held in Your hands
From the moment that I wake up
Until I lay my head
I will sing of the goodness of God
Chorus
All my life You have been faithful
All my life You have been so, so good
With every breath that I am able
I will sing of the goodness of God
Verse 2
I love Your voice
You have led me through the fire
In darkest nights
You are close like no other
I've known You as a father
I've known You as a friend
I have lived in the goodness of God
Bridge
Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me
Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me
With my life laid down, I’m surrendered now, I give You everything
Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me
