Recently, I shared that I am working on training with my dog, Archie. The trainer we are working with recently shared the importance of eye contact when training dogs. This eye contact has two purposes. The first purpose is to keep the dog from being distracted by anything else around, like other dogs or people. After all, when your dog is focused on you, they cannot focus on anything else. The second purpose of eye contact is to direct. I recently learned that once your dog learns eye contact, you can, using your eyes only, direct your dog where you want them to go. For example, if my dog is not as close to me when we are on a walk as I want him to be, I can stop, gaze to my side, and he will automatically go right where I am looking. It’s amazing! We humans need to learn eye contact, too. In a world where we are consumed by worries and the things of this world, we must keep our eyes directly on God to keep us from being distracted and to guide us if we want to exchange our worries for peace and hope.
Jesus instructed a listening crowd to focus on God and His kingdom in Matthew 6. In this passage of Scripture, Jesus told listeners not to worry. Instead of worrying, Jesus gave them a command: “Seek first the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need” (verse 33). Focusing on Him and His kingdom keeps us from being distracted by the things of this world, even our worries. When we keep our eyes on God, we have an eternal perspective. It is nearly impossible to worry when you are focusing on God and His kingdom. Secondly, focusing on God and His kingdom provides direction. It helps us to know the next right step to take when we are tempted to worry or are facing circumstances outside of our control.
One way that we can focus on God and His kingdom is through prayer. The apostle Paul talked about prayer’s impact on our worries in Philippians 4. He wrote, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done” (verse 6). Instead of worrying, we can focus on God and His kingdom by praying. As we pray, Scripture promises that we "will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand." If you want to stop worrying, keep your eyes directly on God and pray. Then, you will find His immeasurable peace.
Seek God today by praying. Tell Him what you are worried about. Ask Him to help you focus on Him and His kingdom rather than the things of this world. When you do, you will be filled with His peace instead of worry. Commit to living a lifestyle where you seek Him above everything else.
1Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stay true to the Lord. I love you and long to see you, dear friends, for you are my joy and the crown I receive for my work.
2 Now I appeal to Euodia and Syntyche. Please, because you belong to the Lord, settle your disagreement. 3 And I ask you, my true partner, to help these two women, for they worked hard with me in telling others the Good News. They worked along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are written in the Book of Life.
4 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! 5 Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.
6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. 9 Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.
