A young pastor complained of how things were tough for him in ministry. The attendance was fluctuating. They are yet to have their own church facility, etc. God responded to him; “Stop focusing on the wrong things. Look at the move of the Holy Spirit in your services. Check the testimonies of changed lives. Look at how I have sustained you in this tough terrain. Things are not as bad as they seem.” He changed his perspective.

Friend, stop focusing on the wrong things. What you focus on determines if you would have focus or you would lose your focus (Acts 26:22). Things are not as bad as you think. Sometimes, the devil magnifies one negative thing and makes us think that everything around us is negative (Luke 4:3-4).

The devil can make you focus on the fact that you have no money in your pocket but would make you forget that you have got a healthy spirit, soul, and body (Acts 3:6). He can make you focus on your not having your dream job yet that you lose sight of the fact that you are making a meaningful impact on lives around you (Acts 13:36).

As a pastor, you can focus so much on the service attendance that is fluctuating that you do not look at how God has been moving in services, saving souls, and transforming lives. Sometimes, you focus too much on your barrenness as a wife that you do not appreciate the bliss that you are enjoying with your husband (1 Samuel 1:8).

Unless your perspective is right, your persuasion would be faulty (2 Timothy 1:12). You should be persuaded that God is good and kind to you. You should be convinced that God is faithful to you no matter what. While it may be true that there are thorns among your roses, you need to appreciate God for the roses in the midst of thorns (Isaiah 65:8-10). Things are not as bad as the devil wants you to think.

Stop focusing on what the devil is doing (2 Kings 6:15-17). Stop focusing on the bad government policies. Stop focusing on prayers that are yet to be answered. Start focusing on what God is doing. Believe to see the goodness of God in your life (Psalms 27:13). Celebrate the finger of God that you see today so that you can experience His arm tomorrow.

‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria