THE FIRST DISTRACTION

-

 

The story begins in a garden—lush, peaceful, overflowing with everything Adam and Eve could ever need. Imagine it: every tree filled with fruit, every path filled with beauty, and most importantly, every moment filled with God’s presence. Nothing was missing. Nothing was broken.

And yet, in the middle of that perfection, a voice whispered.

The serpent didn’t show up with force or violence; he came with a question: “Did God really say you must not eat from any tree in the garden?” (Genesis 3:1).

It was a small seed of distraction. Instead of celebrating the countless trees they could freely enjoy, Eve’s attention was drawn to the one tree that was off-limits. Her focus shifted, not because of hunger, but because of curiosity.

That’s how distraction works—it takes our eyes off abundance and locks them on limitation. What was once clear suddenly looks uncertain. What was once off-limits suddenly looks appealing. And in one moment of distraction, paradise was traded for pain.

How This Story Lives On in Us

Thousands of years later, we’re still living with that same challenge. Our distractions may not look like fruit on a tree, but they’re just as effective:

  • A phone buzzing with endless notifications.

  • Thoughts replaying conversations we can’t change.

  • The pull to compare our lives with someone else’s highlight reel.

  • Worry about tomorrow when God is asking us to trust Him today.

Just like in Eden, distractions don’t always shout—they whisper. They nudge us to take our focus off God’s presence and promises and place it on something smaller, something lesser.

The Power of Focus

Here’s the truth: the serpent didn’t need to destroy Adam and Eve; he only needed to distract them. And often, the same is true for us. If the enemy can keep us busy, restless, or endlessly chasing the wrong thing, he’s already won half the battle.

But we don’t have to live distracted. Hebrews 12:2 reminds us to “fix our eyes on Jesus.” Focus is our weapon. Focus is our freedom.

Every day we face the same choice Eve did: Will we listen to the whispers of distraction, or will we keep our attention on the One who never changes?

The garden may be behind us, but the lesson remains—what we focus on shapes our future.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

LOADED BUT NOT FIRED - IT'S TIME TO CHANGE THE ENVIRONMENT

-
Image
  There’s a powerful truth circulating in the mental health space: "Genetics loads the gun, but environment pulls the trigger." This statement is more than a metaphor—it’s a mirror. It reflects the realities many people live with silently. Some are born with a biological predisposition toward depression, anxiety, or other mental health challenges. But it is often the environment—the chaos at home, the pressure at school, the trauma in the neighborhood, or the silence in the church—that pulls the trigger. And here’s what we must remember: We can’t always change the genes—but we can absolutely change the environment. That’s where you and I come in. Why This Matters Now We are living in a mental health crisis. Suicide rates are rising. Youth are overwhelmed. Adults are exhausted. Communities are under-supported. And too many people are still suffering in silence because they think their pain is a personal failure. But mental health is not a matter of weak will—it is often a ma...
Read more

THE CHANGING WORLD VIEW

-
Image
  Have you ever felt like the world around you is shifting beneath your feet? Like the things we once called “normal” are now fragments of a memory we can barely piece together? Welcome to the world as we know it —or perhaps more accurately, the world as we knew it. From the digital explosion that lets us speak across continents in seconds to the emotional disconnect that ironically grows in an age of constant connectivity, we are living in a paradox. Technological breakthroughs are accelerating, global awareness is expanding, and yet, deep within us, many are whispering the same question: “Where is all of this really taking us?” The Speed of Change Change has always been a part of human history, but the pace today is breathless. Artificial intelligence is writing books and diagnosing diseases. Climate patterns are reshaping cities and coastlines. Identity, truth, even time itself—everything feels negotiable. What was certain yesterday becomes debatable today. But this isn’t ...
Read more

📚 READ TO HEAL: HOW BIBLIOTHERAPY IS REWIRING MINDS AND RESTORING SOULS

-
Image
  In a world filled with constant noise, pressure, and emotional overload, healing often feels out of reach. We try therapy, we try rest, we try to keep going. But sometimes, healing comes not from a prescription—but from a page. Welcome to the healing art of bibliotherapy —the intentional use of reading to support your mental, emotional, and even spiritual well-being. What is Bibliotherapy? At its core, bibliotherapy is the practice of using books—fiction, nonfiction, poetry, sacred texts—to help people navigate life’s emotional challenges. It's more than just reading for fun. It’s reading with purpose. Whether you’re grieving a loss, facing burnout, wrestling with anxiety, or searching for direction, the right book can be a lifeline. Bibliotherapy helps us: Understand ourselves Process emotions Find words when we have none Gain new perspective Feel less alone Why It Works: The Science Behind It Books are powerful because they allow us to experience rather ...
Read more