PHILEMON 1:6 (NKJV) SAYS, “That the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.” The key to effective faith isn’t just about speaking; it’s about focusing on the good things in us in Christ.
We’ve been taught that we have faith that moves mountains, and we’ve learned how to speak to those mountains. But there’s a danger in becoming too focused on the mountain itself. When we constantly speak to the problem and meditate on it, our focus shifts from God to the problem.
For example, if someone is battling cancer and they constantly say, “Cancer, you’ve got to go. Cancer, leave. Cancer, in Jesus’ Name be gone,” it can lead to their mind being filled with nothing but thoughts of cancer. Then their focus becomes the problem, not the solution.
Our faith becomes more effective when we focus on what Jesus has done in us, rather than on our challenges. The mountain isn’t our Lord—Jesus is.
Our faith becomes ineffective when we give more attention to the mountain than to God. It’s easy to share our struggles on social media or with others, but what if we focused on God’s promises instead? Luke 6:45 says that “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” What we focus on will come out of us and shape our words, actions, and outcomes.
We can either rehearse our problemsor rehearse God’s promises.
Life happens. We don’t deny storms and mountains exist, but they don’t hold ultimate power over us. Our focus determines whether we live in victory or defeat.
Philippians 4:8 (TPT) reminds us, “Keep your thoughts continually fixed on all that is authentic and real, honorable and admirable, beautiful and respectful, pure and holy, merciful and kind. And fasten your thoughts on every glorious work of God, praising him always.”
We are to fasten our thoughts. Every moment of the day, instead of focusing on our struggles, we should thank God for His life and strength within us. For Christians, meditation is about what we choose to focus on. We can either rehearse our problems or rehearse God’s promises. When we focus on His Word and His goodness, our perspective changes. In trials, we can either dwell on the storm, or trust in the One Who calms it.
In the story of the three Hebrew boys in the fiery furnace, their situation was dire (Daniel chapter 3). Yet their focus wasn’t on the flames; it was on the One standing with them in the fire. They weren’t scarred because they focused on the good things—they focused on the Lord.
Song of Songs 2:15 (TPT) warns us to “catch the troubling foxes, those sly little foxes” that spoil the vine. These “foxes” represent the little thoughts, motives, and ideas that can ruin what God has placed in us. One of the most dangerous foxes is letting our focus shift from God to our troubles. God has a purpose for each of us. We can’t let these little things get in our head and ruin what He has done in us.
We must take control of our thoughts. Just as a zookeeper controls when an animal in captivity eats, we control what thoughts we entertain. When a thought contrary to God’s Word comes, we don’t feed it. Instead, we must replace it with God’s truth.
Life isn’t about what we go through; it’s about how we go through it. When we focus on God, we are like a tree planted by the waters. When the enemy attacks, we can’t focus on the fire or on the drought. We must focus on God’s Word: “Greater is He that is in me,” “By His stripes I am healed,” and “The peace of God rules in my heart.”
The next time you face a challenge, ask yourself, “What am I focused on? The mountain? Or the One Who can move it?” Shift your focus to God’s goodness and the good things in you in Christ. Your faith will become effective and empower you to overcome any obstacle.
Author
Tanner Gregurich
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