Focus Friday: Let's Focus on Our Focus

Our morning exercise group tried something new this week. We did Focus T25 workouts by Shaun T. Every morning we did an intense 25 minute workout that targeted different areas of our body. On Friday we had to do two 25 minute workouts. That really got us sweating, but it felt pretty good afterward.

I don't own this. I've only tried this for a week, so I can't really endorse it completely, but you can check it out if you want.

The word I remember hearing the most all week was Focus. As Shaun T and his group jumped and turned and sweat, he kept reminding us to focus. "It's just 25 minutes but you have to give it all you've got and really focus on the movements you're doing." 

It was difficult and I couldn't keep up with every single move, but I kept going and tried. I did try to focus on the muscles we were using and it seemed to make a difference. 

Imagine what a difference that would make in our lives if we would choose to focus more often. Maybe you're like me and you find yourself "piddling" away your time or just going through the motions sometimes as you live your life.

The minutes, hours, days, months, and years slip by without much to show for them if we aren't really focused on what we want to accomplish. When we focus, we can achieve the goals we set for ourselves.

Even more importantly, when we focus we can better determine what God has in store for us and do what we need to do to get to His best for us. It's a tricky process. Sometimes we get too caught up in our own goals and miss the good things God wants us to experience. 

Shaun T kept reminding us of how short the workout was. "You're over halfway done!" "You only have five minutes left!" "Focus!" It helped to see the countdown in the corner of the screen. We knew the end was in sight and we could make it.

Well, friends, we don't know exactly how much time we have left in this life. There is no countdown clock. We just don't know, but we do know that life is short. The years fly by. Soon life on this earth will be over, but if you believe that Jesus died for you, you'll spend eternity with Him in heaven. That hope can get us through the ups and downs of life. 

You can do it! Focus!

"For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope." 
                                                                      (Romans 15:4 NIV) 

Do you have trouble focusing? How can focusing on God help you to keep going even when times get tough? 

Focus Friday: Let's Focus on Pressing On

We started a morning workout group at church this week. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning we met at 5 a.m. (yes, 5 a.m.!) and sweated together through a half hour video working our abs, butt, and thighs. It didn't feel good to get up so early. It didn't always feel good to work our muscles. It didn't feel good on Tuesday morning when our muscles protested the efforts of the day before. It was hard, so why did we come back on Wednesday and Friday morning? I'll tell you in a minute.

Life can get hard sometimes. Everyone's journey is different, but you can be sure that everyone goes through difficulties from time to time. As you look at the lives of your friends and extended family members, you may think they have it all together and that life is easy, but I can pretty much guarantee that they deal with frustrations and problems on a regular basis.

So what does that mean for us? Do we get depressed because everyone struggles and has problems? Do we give up because life is just too hard?

No, my friends. We can't let ourselves go there. We press on, holding on to the hope that the difficulties will pass and life will get better. We do our best in whatever situation we find ourselves in and we treat others with love and kindness, knowing that they may be struggling with problems of their own.

May is mental health month, so this is a good time to focus on staying healthy emotionally. We do everything we can to keep a positive attitude and stay strong during the trials of life, but when things get overwhelming and we find ourselves struggling too much we need to be willing to ask for help. Maybe we start by asking our spouse or a good friend, but we may need to get professional help from our doctor or a good counselor. 

No matter what, we can't give up. We need to keep pressing on. Get help and keep going. As you get through the trial you will hopefully become stronger and the next trial will be a little easier to get through.

Back to our workout group. Why did we come back? We showed up and pressed on through the tough workout because we are hoping that it will get easier. We're hoping that our muscles will work better after pushing them several times a week. I think I could actually notice a little more strength this morning and that will keep me going back for more. I will keep pressing on and look forward to being in better shape.

I don't know where you're at in life right now, dear reader. No matter what, keep pressing on. It will be worth it. I promise.

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." (James 1:2-4 NIV)

Do you need to press on through something right now? How can focusing on God help you to press on and get stronger spiritually, emotionally, and even physically?