Can I Really Train Focus?

 Hi I am AnnaMarie, a wife, mom and grandma, long time follower of Christ and lover of movement and going deeper in conversation and connection with myself and others.

This space is to explore a little of that piece by piece and my hope is that as I show up you do too! 

When I started on this road a number of years ago I had one idea and God really had another.  He met me at at time in my life when I needed a shake up and a change but before He did that He connected me with me and HIM.  This was an organic process through movement interconnected with His WORD and the encouragement of those that had been travelling on this path a while already that called me up and created the space to allow me to explore and get curious; two things I never would have known how to do or allowed myself to do.  I am an on-a-mission kind of gal and the Lord knew I needed to train some flexibility but the barriers of guilt and regret played a big role. The enemy is an accuser and I am forever grateful to all on my journey but in recent years to the ministry of Revelation Wellness for bringing out the truth and the LIGHT and exposing the LIES that set this overachieving striver free and continues to set me free.

I will use this space to share my thoughts with you as they are words I get from the Lord that arise out of a passion to share this freedom.  We tend to make things complicated but they really are not.  :)

Now to the Word on my heart to share with you today.

CAN I REALLY TRAIN FOCUS?

The answer is yes, you can!  '

Colossians 1:29 - For this I labor striving with His power and energy, which so greatly works within me.

We are in your army Lord.  Many analogies as I grew up in the church that I remember with references to soldiers.  I never really thought of it until now.  The Sunday school song we even sang that went something like "For I am in the Lord's army.. I'm to young to march in the infantry, ride on the calvary..." maybe you remember it or grown up songs like "Battle Hymn Republic".  The people of certain time periods related in the physical to these songs and references.  Today we in Canada are aware of wars but thank you Jesus not acutely acquainted to the point of suffering it in our own bodies.  As we look after our health in a world that increasingly bombards us with shortcuts, fads, drug, and ultra-processed foods the process of developing "healthy habits" can seem like a battle; like work!

We need to  train to discipline ourselves as Paul says and so as not to be like a boxer beating the air we need to focus so our daily habits do not become either futile or an idol but rather begin to integrate into something deeper and more whole which is where we then begin to "embody" the love and knowledge of Christ's power at work in and through us and the hope of glory we have in all circumstances.

We are of those as believers "grafted in", connected to a life source (branches).  Psalm 1 states a tree like this is able to be continually fed but where are we looking? What is distracting us from that which we desire? Are we deceived?

Come to Me, He says all you who are weak and heavy laden and I will give you rest.  Jesus says I will show you so you can "know" inwardly not just in your brain, so that we can be empowered in His love.  

Take a deep breath in through your nose and ask Him "Lord guide Me"

From your belly out your mouth like you are fogging a mirror pray "To Partner with You"

In light of all of this a few practical tips for success are:

1. Tackle 1-4 habits at a time TOPS or less!

2. Make a plan and a commitment to yourself.

3. Educate yourself on what you are seeking to do.  (But don't get lost in google land.  Want to drink more water or eat more veggies look up some tips and go for it, pray and adjust along the way!)

4. Tell a friend and be accountable.  

Above all else - pray and partner.  It's not about a Try-Harder mentality but that of trust in God and yourself.  Hold your plans loosely but value yourself as the creation that you are always keeping first things first and reminding yourself of His mercy and grace for you. 

Psalm 18: 18 and 19 .. But the Lord is my support.  He brought me out into a broad place; He rescued me because He was pleased with me and delighted in me.