How to Stop, Rewind, Refocus and Restore Hope

Yesterday at work, I found it hard to focus upon the task.  Certainly, having just lost Mom could be the reason.  But I had noticed times before when this would happen.  Everything would come tumbling in upon me.  It would be hard to organize, set priorities and get the task done.  It would seem hopeless as my mind would try to establish a plan.  I recognize part of it is my own brain which is constantly thinking and not always organized.  Although I try very hard to be mentally focused and organized, it seems foreign to my thought process as random thoughts jump in constantly. Indeed, there are times when I look at the task before me and see it as hopeless. In truth, I do not trust myself or God with the task at hand.  Then, I find it necessary to Stop, Rewind, Refocus and thus Restore Hope.

It happens in relationships too.  Old tapes of misunderstandings or harsh words play in our thoughts.  Then we unwittingly lash out harshly to those whom we love.  Desperately we want to change; yet, suddenly the next time we open our mouths—there are those words again spewing out.  And this after pleading with God to change our hearts and shut our mouths before the harsh words are spoken.  In those moments, I again need to Stop, Rewind, Refocus and Restore Hope.  Because by then, my heart is broken, believing it hopeless I will ever look like Christ.

Yet, none of the above can be fixed unless my relationship with God is right.  When doubts, fears, or sin is in my heart, everything seems off focus in every aspect of my life.  So, I find it necessary to stop, rewind, refocus and restore hope in my heart before I can move forward.

STOP

1. See there is a problem. Sounds simple, but sometimes is the hardest thing to do.  We do not want to admit there is a problem. Particularly if the problem is within us.  It is so much easier to accuse someone else or circumstances rather than to admit, the problem is deep within my own heart.
2. Take a moment to reflect. Is it a lack of faith?  Or perhaps a selfish desire to be seen, noticed or praised? A deep desire to Be or believe we are good when we know something is broken and missing?
3. Open your heart to know the truth, even if it hurts. Nothing can be fixed until we discover where we are broken.  If you do not know Christ as Savior, it begins there.  Because we are born into this broken world as broken vessels missing the one thing necessary to being, a spirit made alive to God through a union with Him.
4. Pray for guidance and understanding

REWIND

1. Remember how you got to this place of despair and hopelessness.  Even if that means rewinding the painful tapes that play in our heads.  Sometimes what we hold onto as painful memories were misunderstood from the very beginning. However, it is also true that our brokenness is a matter of the heart.  When everything I see depends on “my feelings”, I cannot see the truth.  I need to look from the outside in.
2. Embrace His Sovereignty. When we know that God is Almighty, all powerful and in control of every circumstance, then we know “this” whatever it is comes from Him.  He is wiser than I and knows how to work everything for the good of His children.
3. Welcome His Suffering. Suffering unites us closer to Jesus’ suffering.  We cannot ever fully comprehend the depth He suffered to save us.  However, the suffering we face here on earth, gives us a glimpse into His suffering for us.  In turn that allows us to begin to understand the magnitude of His grace toward us.  Because He, the perfect righteous son was blameless yet took our punishment upon Himself willingly.  For us to find peace, purpose, and joy in this complex broken world; we must first have our hearts transformed into His heart.
4. Initiate Prayer. God is never far from us.  He is patiently waiting for us to open the conversation.  We want God to answer us or fix our problems; yet, He is waiting for us to ask.  “you have not because you ask not.”
5. Never Forget the price He paid
6. Delve into His Word. It is there where we truly come to know Him. As we come to know Him, we find our place, purpose and position of being within this wondrous universe.

REFOCUS

 

1. Recognize our Unworthiness.

We are guilty, each of us, either of sins of omission or commission.  As such, just as Micah said, “I will bear the indignation of the Lord, because I have sinned against Him, until He plead my cause.”

When we fully understand the depth of the price He paid for our sins, then we see begin to see every good thing as an act of undeserved Grace and love.   As we see more of His Glory and His Righteousness, the more we recognize our own depravity of heart.  Only then, are we able to bow before His Lordship.    This is the beginning of our being able to refocus.

 

2. Erase Our Pride.

Because pride is the beginning of every sin. But how do I erase my pride?  By seeing myself honestly, knowing how far short I am from His perfect Righteousness.

3. Forgive yourself and others.

Once you have confessed your sins before God, knowing that He has forgiven you.  Then “forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in anything ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.”  Philippians 3:13-15

4. Open the Wounds within your own heart.

Scar tissue cannot be healed without excising the scar and allowing fresh tissue to grow from the inside out.  The same is true of scar tissue of our soul.

5. Choose Christ as Lord.

Not just Savior, but Lord.  Let Him take complete control in your life.

6. Use Your Gifts for Him.
7. Seize Grace.

Not only recognizing the grace you have been given; but give grace as well.  I John 4: “¹⁶ And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.¹⁷ Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.¹⁸ There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.”

RESTORE HOPE

1. R epent.  For until you lay down your sins—known and unknown at the foot of the cross, there is no chance for peace. What do I mean by unknown?  Those we need revealed.  So, we pray as did David, “⁵ Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.⁶ Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.⁷ Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” Psalm 51
2. Evaluate our own heart. Continuously be ready to evaluate your heart and ready to surrender your thoughts to the Holy Spirit.
3. Seek Him as your greatest treasure
4. Trust His Heart of Love, no matter what your eyes may see
5. Obey His every command, for He loves you and wants the best for you.
6. ReJoice in Him always
7. Exemplify Christ to the world from a heart transformed by Him.

 

So, whatever else is going on in your life, take the time to Stop, Rewind, Refocus and Restore Hope through a dynamic, powerful relationship with Jesus Christ.  For nothing else matters as much as knowing Him.  And He will take care of everything else.

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD?

If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here
Or if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here

 

Previously

Can the Fervent Prayer of the Righteous Be Powerful?

And Who Should Fear the Rod of God?

Books Available

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Disclosures

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2020
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Credits

Photo by Daniel Schludi on Unsplash