The Fine Art of Focus

“Fret not yourself because of evildoers;
    be not envious of wrongdoers!
For they will soon fade like the grass
    and wither like the green herb.

Trust in the Lord, and do good;
    dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.
Delight yourself in the Lord,
    and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Commit your way to the Lord;
    trust in him, and he will act.
He will bring forth your righteousness as the light,
    and your justice as the noonday.

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him;
    fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way,
    over the man who carries out evil devices!

Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath!
    Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil…

In just a little while, the wicked will be no more…
But the meek shall inherit the land
    and delight themselves in abundant peace.

The wicked plots against the righteous..,
but the Lord laughs at the wicked,
    for he sees that his day is coming…

The steps of a man are established by the Lord,
    when he delights in his way;
though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong,
    for the Lord upholds his hand.

I have been young, and now am old,
    yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken
    or his children begging for bread…

Turn away from evil and do good;
    so shall you dwell forever.
For the Lord… will not forsake his saints.
They are preserved forever,
    but the children of the wicked shall be cut off…

I have seen a wicked, ruthless man,
    spreading himself like a green laurel tree.
But he passed away, and behold, he was no more.” Psalm 37:1-8,10-13,23-25,27-28,35-36a

David knew well the power of focus for the outlook and emotion of life. Indulge in looking on what is not yours to have, and greed claws with ugly lust into your soul. Look on the threat of enemies, and fear can overwhelm. But look at the Lord and His might, and giants become small while hearts grow stout and courageous. (1 Samuel 17:19-25,32-50; 2 Samuel 11:2-4; Psalm 56:1-11)

The moment our minds awaken and we open our eyes, we have a choice of what we will focus on first, which often determines the course of our day. When we jump to worldly pressures or pleasures and think on superficial things, and long over the veneer of the successful who seemed to have it all, but are unrighteous, our hearts get disordered. If we saw beneath the surface of what the wicked were like, and understood their misery, discontent, and ultimate end, reality would put on new lenses.

When we start our day by focusing on the Lord, His Majesty and splendor and greatness and goodness, wonder and praise will crowd out fretting and worry. If the trinkets or apparent ease of the ungodly look alluring, consider their elusiveness. If we are tempted by earthly delights, ask the Lord to reorient our affection to Him and His way. Training ourselves to bring cares expectantly to Him with thanksgiving will readjust focus on heavenly things. (Philippians 4:6–7; Colossians 3:1-2)

What causes envy of wrongdoers’ prosperity? What deeper delights has the Lord bestowed? How can we refocus on things above, and establish habits of trust and gratitude for God’s sufficiency, hope, and everlasting peace?

Lord, help me turn away from all that’s spiritually unhealthy to the good and glorious of You and Your kingdom.