In a previous post I wrote about ways we get stuck and decided to expound on a few of those over the next several posts. There was a previous post on (un)forgiveness and how we can get stuck if we don’t explore our feelings surrounding it and attempt to work through it. Today’s post is about all the things that can distract us. Or better yet maybe about distraction itself. John 10:10 says, “The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

Have you ever heard that if the devil can’t get you to doubt God or quit, he will distract you until you wake up one day and realize just how complacent in your walk you have become? Not only have I heard that saying but at one time in my life I lived that out. Even as I type I have had numerous distractions coming at me. Seemed as if every time I carved out a few moments to think and type something came up, someone called, or I lost my self on a rabbit trail down the slippery slope of social media.

According to Wikipedia distraction come from both external sources, and internal sources. External distractions include things such as visual triggers, social interactions, music, texts and phone calls. There are also internal distractions such as hunger, fatigue, illness, worrying and daydreaming.

Let me say this…not all distractions are bad. In fact, some are things we quite enjoy most of the time; like hobbies, games, family time, books, your fav tv show, are just a few of those I can come up with right off the top of my head. What makes a distraction bad is when it interferes with what God is asking of you. Any of these things we can get so caught up in that we forgo the good thing God has for us.

There are things like, spending time reading his word – and getting to know him on a deeper level. Praying through a situation instead of googling it. Writing the next best seller or profound deep think novel meant to help the world see more of him. Learning a new skill so you are prepared for when he calls you to your next. Working through the deep hurt felt after betrayal instead of binge watching you next fav show. How about getting healthy so you can go the distance. Soaking in his presence. Searching his heart for your family, for the new thing, for vision, for direction – really anything. Serving at a local community place or in the church somewhere. Without thinking some of the best things can wind up on the back burner or pushed to the side or done just to check off a box so we can quickly return to the easier thing – distraction.

In a post on The Warriors Journey (https://thewarriorsjourney.org/) they write it like this, “Distractions can also affect our spiritual lives. Untold numbers of people, Christians included, go through life controlled by distractions—texts, emails, meetings, phone calls, errands, and surfing the internet. They bounce frantically from one activity to the next. Their goals and priorities take a backseat to an artificial tyranny of the urgent. Everything seems important. Ironically, they find enough time for distractions, but not enough time to restore their life’s equilibrium with a few minutes reading God’s Word and praying.”

Proverbs 4:23-27 says “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Keep your mouth free from perversity, keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths of your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the left or the right, keep your feet from evil.”

In other words giving in to distraction(s) over and over allows room for the enemy of our souls to roam free and wreak havoc in our lives. If our hearts are not free and filled with the word of God we won’t be able to see others the way he does. We won’t be able to extend grace, forgive easily and love big the way he does. We will easily get lost and blame God when a disaster comes, or illness or something unexpected happens to someone we love. We won’t be able to see his hand extended for being blinded by the distractions we have allowed to take up space in our hearts and minds. We won’t be prepared to be the hands and feet nor the salt and light if we are constantly in undated and allow distractions to be our everyday thing.

Here is the thing. We have the ability to choose. We get to decide what enters, what stays, what goes. Simply put the difference between good distraction and bad is discipline. Developing the muscle of delayed gratification, waiting, completing a life giving task before a pleasure seeking one. The discipline we develop ensures we mature and grown in the right direction, in a way that benefits the kingdom and doesn’t destroy it. Developing discipline muscles ensures we don’t get stuck in distraction and miss out on the truly good things God has for each of us.

Copyright©2025 Melanie McKinley (The Salty Pen & Press).  All Rights Reserved