By Catherine Kärnbo
Perhaps the goals you set in January have not gained the momentum you hoped for. Many things compete for our attention, and in reality, many of us become distracted or find it difficult to stay focused.
Between the constant noise of daily life and the struggle to concentrate, it is easy to drift off course. Take a moment for a quarterly review of your year. Are you fixed on the chaos and the hurdles, or is your gaze centred on Jesus?
Between the relentless ping of notifications, the weight of global instability and the personal pressures of daily life, our vision is often blurred. We feel scattered, overwhelmed and, if we are honest, deeply tired.
The struggle is not only about productivity; it is about spiritual orientation. When our eyes remain glued to chaos, the chaos begins to define our reality. A quick look at your social media feed shows how algorithms are designed to hold your attention for as long as possible.
Use the Jehoshaphat principle
King Jehoshaphat faced a crisis that would make anyone’s heart sink. In 2 Chronicles 20, he received news that a “vast army” was marching against him. His initial reaction was deeply human, yet his prayer in verse 12 remains one of the most honest and powerful anchors in Scripture:
“For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”
Jehoshaphat did not ignore the problem. He did not pretend the army was not there. Instead, he made a conscious decision to prioritise his focus. He acknowledged his limitations and turned his gaze towards the One without limits.
What are you gazing at?
We often make the mistake of staring at our problems while only glancing at God.
- When we stare at the challenge: it grows. Anxiety rises and our resources appear smaller by the minute.
- When we fix our eyes on Jesus: the challenge may not disappear immediately, but it is reframed. We begin to see it against the backdrop of God’s sovereignty.
Fixing our eyes is intentional. It requires the discipline to look beyond the “vast army” of bills, social media noise, societal tensions, health reports or strained relationships. It means honestly admitting, “I do not know what to do,” and finding peace in the assurance that God does.
Practical refocusing
How do we practically “fix our eyes” in a world designed to distract us?
- Audit yourself. What are you feeding on and what is distracting you? If your first gaze of the day is at a newsfeed or an inbox, you are training your eyes for anxiety. Try a “Word before World” approach.
- Acknowledge the gap: Like Jehoshaphat, be honest about your lack of power. There is profound freedom in admitting you are not the one in control. You can confess the sins with one another as the Bible encourages us. This gives you back the power.
- Worship in the wait: Interestingly, after Jehoshaphat prayed, he sent singers out ahead of the army. Praise is the ultimate evidence of fixed eyes.
Today, you might feel overwhelmed, but it does not have to be the center of your vision. Take a deep breath, look away from the storm, and fix your gaze on the one who holds everything in His hands.
Remember, the eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness.” Matthew 6:22–23 (NIV).
Fix your eyes on Jesus.
