The Importance of an Eternal Focus

Let's face it; we all have problems. No matter whether we are rich or poor, bad things happen to everyone. The car breaks down, the kids get sick, the money runs out, the dog dies. These types of circumstances tend to make us sad or overwhelmed. Sometimes we may even have a sense of hopelessness because we feel that life will never get better. At times, we may even want to give up. Some people even hit the point where suicide seems to be the only option.

The problem is a matter of focus. Most often our thoughts go toward the problems of today, or worries about tomorrow. We might wonder how we are going to pay for our children's college, or how we're going to get out of debt. We may worry that our friend won't survive cancer or that we'll lose our job. We may be upset about a rift with a family member or friend. Perhaps our children aren't doing well in school or our young adult children are making bad choices.

It's not wrong to plan for the future, or to be concerned about a hurting friend or loved one. But those concerns should be a minor focus compared to the more important focus on that which is eternal. As we walk through the various trials of daily life, we must remember that God is at work through our hardships in order to prepare us to spend eternity with Him. It's amazing to consider that even the hard things in our lives help to prepare us for eternity.

Father, we pray that You will help us to shift our focus from that which is temporal to that which is eternal. Change our prayer from "Lord, fatten our wallet" to, "Lord, purify our hearts." Always remind us that our difficulties in this life are temporary, but our spirits live on forever in Your presence. ~ Amen.

Next time you start to worry about the problems of today, ask God to change your focus from that which is temporal to that which is eternal.