Fighting for Focus
If you are reading this, chances are you have come across some suffering along your journey.
I'm not talking about rush-hour traffic or all-day meetings.
I'm talking about suffering.
The loss of a loved one.
The recent diagnosis that came out of nowhere for a dear friend.
Aging parents requiring more care and support.
Sick or wayward family members.
The real stuff that knocks us to our knees when we least expect it.
As terrible as these times in our lives are, something remarkable happens as we navigate through our suffering.
Nothing else really matters.
All the silly stuff that rustled our feathers before - coworker annoyances, long lines, stubbing our toes in the early morning - none of it matters.
In the difficulty of suffering or fighting for survival, we become crystal clear about what is important.
Only what matters the most matters; everything else is a blur in the background.
It reminds me of those cool photos in which you can clearly see only one object, and everything else in the background is blurry.
Photographers called this the bokeh effect.
That's what suffering does.
Suffering reminds us what is truly important and that life is worth fighting for.
And in those moments, nothing else really matters.
You just want them back.
You just want them better.
You just want everyone and everything to be okay.
In those moments, God is nudging us to remember the fragility of life and the importance of keeping our eyes focused on what really matters.
Sometimes, he uses the bokeh effect to show us that what we usually focus on should actually be blurred in the background.
Gulp.
Suffering often recalibrates us that way.
But being habitual humans, we often allow ourselves to lose focus again when the suffering passes.
We start complaining, whining, focusing on ourselves, and not prioritizing what matters.
If I am not careful, the ones I care for and love the most fade into the background, and I focus on selfish gains or foolish desires.
Until I am once again reminded of what is worth fighting for.
So, if you are fighting for what matters right now, know that you are loved, seen, and supported.
Say no, ask for help, or hunker down, get quiet, and do what you need to do.
If you are in a season of peace and calm (thank God for that), remember to keep that bokeh effect on what is worthy of your focus.
Take care of yourself while you take care of others, and know that God is with you and fighting alongside you!
Romans 5: 3-5
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Colossians 3:15
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.