Are You Feeling Scattered and Distracted This Christmas?

Family gatherings and togetherness are the things we cherish most at Christmas, so it follows that the demonic kingdom would unleash the opposite to keep you scattered and distracted and running low on patience.

Just as we celebrate the end of campaign commercials, the onslaught of Christmas commercials begin.  You know the ones I’m talking about – the Lexus in front of the mansion with the big red bow, the warm Publix commercials that make you cry, and all the department store ads that invade your Facebook news feed with that item you always wanted at 40% off.

Spirits of distraction are everywhere invading your space, stealing your time, and bringing in guilt over those “to do list” failures.  It’s the shopping, cooking, planning, wrapping, and all the cares of the world that distract us from the One who was born to bring peace and unity.

Distractions are not by accident; they are the weapons the enemy uses to kill, steal and destroy our peace. What better time to take from Christians than at Christmas.

Distraction is Like a Bag of M&M’s

Addiction to distraction creeps in and steals your time in small bite-sized chunks, so you don’t notice how much is disappearing.

It’s like eating one M&M at a time, you don’t realize how much you have eaten until the whole bag is gone and you still want more.

Three Warning Signs of a Spirit of Addiction to Distraction

1. You are more interested in Amazon, Macy’s, the shopping channels and Facebook, than spending time with God.
2. You have a difficult time staying focused without craving the fix of distraction.
3. Your “to do list Items” are a disaster, and your patience is gone.

If you answered yes to some of these questions, there is a way out!

Six Keys to Detox from Distraction

1. Put God first. Begin your day with prayer, reading the word, and worship in a place void of notifications and alerts from your computer or cell phone.  He is faithful to watch over your time if you ask Him to help you manage it.
2. Ask for forgiveness for entertaining that spirit of distraction and repent.
3. Command, in the name of Jesus Christ, that all spirits of addiction to distraction, delay and hindrance loose you now with the blood of Jesus Christ. Next, release peace, clarity, wisdom, and knowledge in the name and blood of Jesus Christ. Then declare that you have the mind of Christ and the understanding of God is formed within you.
4. Set a time aside each day to check in and out of the social networking sights. This will help to avoid interruptions that cause mistakes and forgetfulness.  Having a strategy with specific time restraints will keep you aware of how much time you are using.  Try setting a timer on your phone for 20 minutes in the morning, at noon and then at night.
5. Put your cell phone in the back seat of your car while driving and in another room when you are not on your timed breaks. Detaching from the source is vital.  Keeping your computer or cell phone close to you is like having a lit cigarette in an ashtray when you are trying to stop smoking.
6. Always get the tough assignments done first. Avoidance is the bait of distraction. Once the critical work is done, the diversion will exit.

Make the course corrections now, so that you can move through this season with the joy of the Lord. Heed Joyce Meyers –“Don’t board the airline of “I Wish I Had’ carrying the luggage of ‘If only’ that always drops you off at the Regret Hotel just in time for the big Pity Party.”