When Annoyances Threaten to Distract You From What’s Important

Don’t let the annoyances of life distract you from what’s important. 

When Annoyances Present Themselves

I often sit outside on summer evenings. Barefoot. Enjoying the peacefulness, I pay little attention to the mosquitoes attacking my feet. That is until the next day when the itching drives me to distraction.

Mosquito bites are annoying. Even on days when everything else seems to be going well, they disrupt the peace.

Some days will hold great afflictions and troubles, but more often they’ll sport minor inconveniences like mosquito bites, electronics not working, or not getting what we’ve asked for. Inconveniences that will, if we let them, distract us from the day’s goodness and God’s calling on our lives.

Minor inconveniences will, if we let them, distract us from what's important. Instead let's focus on God's goodness and His purpose for us. Click To Tweet

We do face real and present difficulties in our earthly lives. But for believers, all our troubles will eventually go away. 

One day we will enter into our glory. We’ll stand in the very presence of our Lord and Savior, and no itch or heartbreak will be felt. All our pain and sorrows will be wiped away. We will live joyfully and unhindered ever after.

Remember What’s Important

In the meantime, let’s remember what’s important in this life.

• Telling others about the hope we have in Jesus Christ—the greatest news ever.
• Loving Him, and pouring out that love on others.
• Blessing others with our words and actions as we serve.
• Becoming more like our Savior. 

These are the things that matter. This is the stuff that will last. 

So don’t waste too much time focusing on the mosquito bites in your life, those little annoyances that pop up. Instead, dwell on Christ, the goodness found in Him, and what that means for you … now and in the future. 

Our life on this troubled earth is short, but it can be rich if we remember God and His faithfulness and what He calls us to do: Love Him. Share the Good News. Love others. Be transformed into a clearer likeness of Christ.

Our life on this troubled earth is short, but it can be rich if we remember God and His faithfulness and what He calls us to do: Love Him. Share the Good News. Love others. Be transformed into a clearer likeness of Christ. Click To Tweet

“He said to him, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind’” (Matthew 22:37).

“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19).

“I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you must also love one another. By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35).

“And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:18).

“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” Colossians 3:2 ESV

Your Turn

Reflections: What distractions keep you from recognizing God’s goodness and pursuing His purpose? Begin today to intentionally dwell on those things that hold eternal value.