A TIME TO FOCUS

Lincoln Nana

FOCUS: a point of concentration.

Being able to bring things into focus is difficult when your world is suddenly turned topsy turvy as all of us are experiencing with the Corona-Virus. You don’t know where to focus first. The things that were so routine have become non-essential. All of a sudden all you want to do is eat and watch the news and worry about what you might have missed buying at the grocery store because you know they are probably out of that very item!! Everything is out of focus, so to speak. My life hasn’t really changed that much yet it seems like it has because every conversation I have with anyone else is centered around urgency and worry and concern for what might be coming next. AND IT IS ALL HAPPENING GLOBALLY!!!!

Well, I just want to add a word of encouragement along with all the other bloggers and YouTubers and Instagramers and FaceBookers…… This is a season when we need to remember what is important in our lives and not let our minds get caught up in thinking too much. Thinking too much is exactly what it means, thinking too much. This will prevent us from taking action. It consumes our energy, disables our ability to make decisions, and puts you on a loop of thinking and thinking over and again. And that’s why you feel like you are going in circles! I don’t know about you but if I were to let my mind go to the fear of the unknown I will find myself in a place that won’t be of any good to me or anyone else.

When I am feeling overwhelmed I make sure I am doing certain things; exercise every day, read my Bible, pray and do something I enjoy to fill my mind with good thoughts. (Right now I’m reading a good book and enjoying the scenery around me.)

Yesterday while reading in Genesis about Joseph I found myself identifying with him on a couple of levels. First, he was just going about doing something good when suddenly he found himself thrown into a pit and then sold as a slave. He went from a favorite son to a slave. And that was only the beginning. I KNOW HE HAD TO WONDER IF GOD HAD ABANDONED HIM, LET ALONE HIS WHOLE FAMILY TURNING AGAINST HIM.

As I read this story I began to see that Joseph’s situation is similar to what we are experiencing now. In the middle of it all he had to keep focused so as not to allow his mind to be filled with fear and worry. All began to become clear when Joseph interpreted Pharaoh’s dreams and said: “Can we find anyone else like this man so obviously filled with the spirit of God?”

Pharaoh saw Joseph as God’s provision for a time of difficulty.

God had a plan all along. He needed to get Joseph into a certain place so He could use Him to save his nation. We are all in places of some kind of influence and I believe now is a good time to focus our eyes on what God is saying to us in the middle of all this chaos of the Corona-Virus. Every one of us has been affected by it on some level and if we ask God I believe He will show us how to be Joseph’s to our world. Your Joseph moment might be when you have a chance to speak to your kids and interact with them in a time when you have their full attention. You may be able to help a neighbor that hasn’t been open to you before but they need help now. This might be the time to get serious about doing certain things you have been putting off such as getting your finances in order or building a reserve of food in your home. I saw one Instagrammer with a large family putting in a garden. Maybe you have time to talk to your mom (hint, hint to my kids) or call grandma more.

Joseph saved his nation but there is no way he would have been able to do that without God placing him in just the right place. While he was going through prison and slavery and being wrongly accused I know Joseph didn’t really understand what God was doing. But He kept focused. He kept God first and knew he was going to be ok because God was in control of His life.

This virus is not from God but just like Joseph said at the end of Genesis, “What the enemy meant for evil, God has used for good.” Stay safe and healthy and remember…..this too shall pass!

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19 thoughts on “A TIME TO FOCUS”

  2. Thank you for your beautiful positive words. You did make me feel calmer reading about Joseph. My mom always says this too shall pass and thanks again for the inspiration.
    I was sent over from your daughter. Hope you stay well and safe!

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  3. I’ve enjoyed Our Tribe of Many for a while now, and today I was pleased to learn you had a Blog. I enjoyed reading your insight about Joseph’s life mishap and the correlation to what is happening today. You and your husband are blessed individuals and did a wonderful job with your own children. I watch Camp David too and the love for God you taught your children shows. You’re also dynamite grandparents. May God continue to bless you, your husband, children, and grandchildren.

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  4. What a blessing! Thanks for your words of encouragement. I’ve followed Sarah and Solo’s blog for a long time and was happy when she said you have a blog! I’m in Sarasota, FL and I told my husband if we have to be quarantined, this is a beautiful place to have it happen. (we were sitting on the lanai having coffee this morning with the sun and the breeze and all sorts of beautiful birds flying over head & passion flowers in bloom all over the bamboo!) By the way I just always love when you and your husband are in Sarah’s videos! Blessings on you! Liz Lane

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  6. Greetings from Poland. I heard Monday morning somebody say: God has lost control.
    I didn’t realize how big an impact it had on me until I read your blog yesterday.
    You brought me back to what I am sure is the truth: God will for sure use it all for good. (I came here from your daughters channel)

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    1. In times like these our faith is easily shaken if we don’t keep focused on who we know God to be. Thank you for your comment and for watching and trusting my daughter.😘

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  7. So happy to hear you have a blog. Loved your story about Joseph and how you used him in your analogy with the struggles we are all facing today with the coronavirus. I have always been inspired with the line…”this too shall pass”. I truly believe if we keep our eye stayed on God, He will bring us through. I follow both Tribe of Many and David’s Camp. Have been blessed by both. Sarah directed me to your blog…so happy she did!! Take care and stay safe! Ontario, Canada 🇨🇦

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