Focus

1 Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”

Hebrews 12:2a “...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.”

Think

Picture a man training his dog. A tempting piece of meat is laid out while the owner repeatedly says, “No.” Initially, the dog goes for it, facing the consequences later. But something shifts. With every “No,” the dog learns to resist the temptation, fixing its gaze on the master. It realizes that obedience means keeping focus and locking eyes with the one in charge. It realizes that there is a greater reward in obeying and waiting.

Temptation—it’s a shared experience. The key to conquering it lies in fixing our eyes on the master, on Jesus, who shows us the path to victory. It’s like a hurdler—focus on the hurdles, and you stumble. Fix your eyes on the finish line, and keep moving forward, undeterred.

Something is intriguing in 1 Corinthians 10:13. It speaks of trials that are not only common but controlled pressures—God’s faithfulness ensures we’re never tempted beyond our strength. Sounds hard to believe, right? We often feel overwhelmed, thinking we’ve surpassed our limits. But God knows us better than we know ourselves. He knows exactly what we can handle, even when we doubt our resilience. It’s like an athlete’s training—pushing beyond what we think we can bear, discovering our capacity to endure. That’s how God works with us—applying pressure within limits we can handle as long as we maintain our focus.

So, while trials come, they never exceed what we can manage. God’s controlled pressure teaches us to handle more than we believe possible as long as we keep our eyes fixed on him.

Apply

Cultivate a habit of fixing your eyes on Jesus. Begin each day with his Word and prayer. Having God’s Word hidden in your heart helps combat negative thoughts and influences (Psalm 119:11). Memorize verses that specifically address struggle and temptation. And ask him for guidance and direction.

Pray

Heavenly Father, I’m grateful for your presence and your unwavering guidance in my life. Thank you for the insights that remind me of the importance of focusing on you during life’s temptations and trials. Teach me to maintain my focus on your truth. In Jesus’ name. Amen.