How to Handle Distractions
Luke 8:22-25 (NIV) One day Jesus said to His disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out. 23 As they sailed, he feel asleep. A squall [storm] came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. 24 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided [ceased], and all was calm. 25 “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.”
Luke 8:22 (NIV) One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.”
There is always an “other side” Jesus is trying to lead us to.
Luke 8:22 (NIV) One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out.
Our mind is made up — we are going to do our best to head (set out) in the direction Jesus is pointing us towards.
Luke 8:23 (NIV) As they sailed, he feel asleep. A squall [storm] came down on the lake…
Storm — “a disturbance of the normal condition.”
All of us face unexpected things that are out of our control. These things tend to be distractions that have the potential to derail us from getting to our “other side.”
Distraction — “something that draws one’s attention away from its original focus to a different object, to stir up conflicting emotions.”
Luke 8:23-24 (NIV) As they sailed, he feel asleep. A squall [storm] came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. 24 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!”
What do all of those feelings and unfiltered words produce?
A full blown distraction demands more than our attention — it requires our energy.
What are we spending the majority of our energy on?
Luke 8:24 (NIV) The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters…
Luke 8:26-30 (NIV) They sailed to the region of the Gerasenes, which is across the lake from Galilee. 27 When Jesus stepped ashore, He was met by a demon possessed man from the town. For a long time this man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but had lived in the tombs. 28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell at His feet, shouting at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don’t torture me!” 29 For Jesus had commanded the impure spirit to come out of the man. Many times it had seized him, and though he was chained hand and foot and kept under guard, he had broken his chains and had been driven by the demon into solitary places. 30 Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” “Legion,” he replied, because many demons had gone into him.
The enemy hates seeing us…
-living intentional lives
-investing in our marriages
-spending time with our kids
-prioritizing our relationship with Jesus
-having peace and joy
-partnering with God to disciple and set people free
-loving and serving one another in Biblical community
What (who) are you currently being distracted by? How are these distractions hindering you from reaching the other side?
Luke 8:24-25 (NIV) The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. 25 “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.”
We have the same solution the disciples had, His name is JESUS!
1. Jesus showed us how to handle distractions
Mark 5 — the woman with the issue of blood
Mark 10 — man ran and fell on his knees
Mark 10 — kids were brought to Him
Matthew 12 — mom wanted to speak to Him
Luke 5 — a paralyzed man was lowed down thru a hole in the roof
Jesus navigated every distraction with the upmost character and grace, all the while never faltering in His purpose.
“Under all His gentleness there is a purpose harder than steel.” —Dorothy Sayers
2. Jesus showed us how to prioritize our time
Mark 1:35 (NIV) Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where He prayed.
Luke 6:12 (NIV) One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.
Nobody in Jerusalem had more things competing for their attention, and yet Jesus always seemed to be able to discern the essential from the noise.
3. Jesus offers us peace before we do anything
The Bible tells us…
-we HAVE peace with God (Rom. 5:1)
-Jesus MADE peace through the blood of His cross (Col. 1:20)
-peace WILL guard our hearts and minds (Phil. 4:7)
-HAVE the fruit of the spirit [which] is love, joy, peace… (Gal. 5:22)
-JESUS is our peace (Eph. 2:14)
“Peace is a person, not an elusive feeling.”
1 Corinthians 7:35 (NKJV) And this I say for your own profit, not that I may put a leash on you, but for what is proper, and that you may serve the Lord without distraction.
1 Corinthians 7:35 (AMP) Now I say this for your own benefit; not to restrict you, but to promote what is appropriate and secure undistracted devotion to the Lord.