Stuck in My Head: Content Dictates Focus

The tune in my head was not one I chose. My radio had been hijacked by my teenager. What I was soon to learn was that my mind had been hijacked as well. And it affected my focus.

It began as I chauffeured my teen to strength and conditioning camp this summer. Normally, I listen to talk radio or a worship CD (I know, old school), unless.

Unless my teenager is in the car.

He promptly switches the station to Top 40 or an oldies station (his father’s influence). Normally this is not a problem, but a new school meant a longer drive, three to five times each week.

The Old Normal

A song in my heart reflected my old normal. I easily slipped into worship because I continually fed on God’s praise. Waking up, going to sleep, in between times. Praise and worship framed my day.

And Mom in a good mood is a positive thing for everyone.

But as summer progressed, a new normal took shape.

The New Normal

Not to knock our local rock stations, but the playlist is the same. Every day.

Secular music invaded my thoughts, and the attack was constant.

I no longer fell asleep with praise in my head. Michael Jackson or the Beatles had replaced it. I woke to strains of Jimmy Buffet and the Doobie Brothers.

And it messed with me.

Don’t get me wrong. I love those tunes as much as anyone, but a steady diet was killing the spirit of praise and worship I had cultivated. I was fighting for joy and peace.

Before, there hadn’t been a battle.

Back to Normal

As summer wound down, I restored the balance. While our family enjoys great bands like Chicago, I limit it.

Because what goes in affects what comes out.

In the book of Daniel, Daniel and the three amigos, Shadrach, Mishach, and Abednego, faced a similar situation. Captured and thrust into a indoctrination program, they are confronted with literature, food, and religion contrary to theirs. Daniel brokers a deal in order to maintain obedience to Jewish dietary law. Ten days of fruits and veggies. After ten days of obedience, they looked better than the natives and their countrymen who caved to the new norm.

Ten days. How would you look after ten days?

Ten days of music that pointed you to God.

Ten days in His Word.

Ten days of meditation on one verse.

Ten days of wholesome entertainment.

Ten days of healthy food.

Ten days of exercise.

Ten days of focus on God.

“As for these four youths, God gave them learning and skill in all literature and wisdom, and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.” (Daniel 1:17)

What will He give you?

Questions:

What is going in?

Where do you find your mind going:

First thing in the morning

Free moments in the day

Last thing at night

Would you change this?

To what?

What steps can you take?

Family Application:

Talk about culture and the need not for balance, but for spiritual things to be the driving force in our lives.

How does the culture try to grab your attention?

How do you determine what is ok and what is not?

What happens when your family’s standards differ from your friends’?

Tweetables:

I soon found my mind had been hijacked as well. And it affected my focus. Click To Tweet
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