Overcoming Distractions
The enemy uses many tools against us to try to distract us from God’s vision for our lives. Many of us, without realizing it, have at various times been disillusioned by these lies from our enemy. We’ve given in to offense, people‐pleasing, self‐absorption, focus on the past, the easy road, the noise of the enemy, discouragement, the treasures of the world, reliance on our own works, or weariness. In so doing, we’ve lost our focus and turned our eyes from God’s purpose for our lives. Thankfully, even when this happens, we can still overcome the enemy’s distractions and regain our vision.
A big part of shaking free of these lies is found in the realization of our identity as those who live between two worlds. As humans in physical bodies, we live in the physical realm of earth. But, the Bible tells us we are also spiritual beings who are seated in heavenly places with Jesus (see Eph. 2:6). When we are born again, Heaven becomes our true home, yet we continue to live on earth. This position between two worlds can be incredibly powerful—if we understand its purpose and are able to see above the temporal circumstances of life on earth. However, for many of us, this goes against our natural inclinations. We have difficulty looking upward, because we are focused on what is happening all around. While it may be difficult to look at life this way, it is absolutely vital. Right now, as believers on earth, we live as light in the midst of darkness. We live as God’s spiritual army on earth, here to expand His Kingdom and eventually overcome the darkness with His light and life. This is what the prophet Isaiah prophesied:
Arise [from the depression and prostration in which circumstances have kept you—rise to a new life]! Shine (be radiant with the glory of the Lord), for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you! For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and dense darkness [all] peoples, but the Lord shall arise upon you [O Jerusalem], and His glory shall be seen on you (Isaiah 60:1‐2 AMP).
God’s glory is rising upon the Church, and more and more, believers are stepping into their true identity as sons and daughters of God. The Kingdom of God is expanding in the earth; approximately one‐third of the people alive on earth today are believers. Simultaneously, the darkness in the world is increasing as Satan desperately attempts to overthrow God’s ever expanding Kingdom. This is the reality we live in—the dual nature of the two worlds we reside in. This should not cause us to fear or despair. Instead, we must follow Jesus’ advice for hard times: “Stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near” (Luke 21:28). To do this, we must first understand our identity and calling while we live on earth.