Look Up When the World Distracts You

I know you’ll enjoy this guest post on how and why to look up by my blogger and author friend, Kelly Balarie. And read to the end to see how to enter a giveway for her latest book.

By Kelly Balarie

I had no idea what was above me.

Because I was focused on the stop sign to the right of me, or the people crossing the street, or changing the radio station in the car that day…I was not caught up in what was above me.

But, suddenly—and I can’t say why—I looked up.

Look Up

There I saw a brilliant display of nature. The sky was gorgeous. It was radiant, blue, red and purple hues strewn all over the sky.

It seemed to convey the brilliance, the majesty and the beauty of God all at once.

Yet, I would have missed it if I had kept my eyes on the million little things happening in front of me. And I would have missed it if distraction had a greater hold on me than my desire to look up.

I would have missed it if I wasn’t aware that there is usually more than meets the eye.

Yet, I looked up. Scripture tells us to look up.

Earthly Focused

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. (Colossians 3:2)

Lately, my focus looks earthly focused. I see politics. I see news articles. And I see what is not happening in my world. Also, I see issues with people. I see problems.

Yet, essentially, God tells me—Kelly, do not set your mind on all that—look up!

Lately, my focus looks earthly focused. I see politics. I see news articles. And I see what is not happening in my world. Also, I see issues with people. I see problems. But God tells me to look up. ~ Kelly Balarie #Focus #bookgiveaway Click To Tweet

I love how Isaiah 40:26 NIV says it…”Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.” (emphasis added)

When We Look Up

When we look up, we keep discouragement at bay by not focusing on what’s raging all around.

Because when we see higher, we get a higher perspective.

Still further, when we look at what God has created, we remember He is Creator.

We remember He can create a new thing at any time and at any moment. 

When we look up, we keep discouragement at bay by not focusing on what's raging all around. Because when we see higher, we get a higher perspective. ~ Kelly Balarie #Focus #bookgiveaway Click To Tweet

This is rest. 

Are you looking up—remembering God’s faithfulness? Giving thanks for what He is doing in your life today? Meditating on His Word? Singing of His goodness?

Or, are you stuck in the muck of a million little distractions that are demanding your attention?

God is higher and stronger than everything and anything you may face today. Look up!

Rest Now

About Kelly’s new book.

“Rest Now: 7 Ways To Say No, Set Boundaries and Seize Joy”

If you feel overwhelmed, you’re not alone. Three out of five people admit to doing more than they can manage. Thinking God requires this, we say, “I must be everything to everyone.”

Then we struggle and feel selfish and guilty when we say no, grow weary, or snap at someone out of sheer exhaustion.

Is this what God desires? Somewhere along the line of being a good Christian, wife, daughter, or friend we lose sight of who we are in Christ. We put our performance above God and who he says we are. But what if we chose a more soul-full way?

Rest Now offers permission to breathe. It exposes the lies that distract, tire, and bully us, so we don’t strive for rest but love from it, like Jesus did.

Learn how to 

– create boundaries that allow you to overflow with love
– say no so you don’t hate yourself later
– ditch passive-aggressive behaviors in favor of healthy conversations
– embrace permission-giving thoughts to create mental space for God

About Kelly Balarie 

Kelly is a Cheerleader of Faith and a Fighter of Fear. She’s a get-on-the-gloves kind of girl. By seeking God’s unending encouragement, she uncovers His deep callings right under the surface of her worst failings. Get all of Kelly’s Purposeful Faith blog posts by email for a dose of inspiration and encouragement. Kelly is a blogger at www.purposefulfaith.com, Crosswalk.com and iBelieve.com. Her work has been featured on Relevant and (in)courage.me, and as the cover story on Today’s Christian Woman. 

Read Kelly’s previous article posted in this community, Battle Ready: How to Renew Your Mind in Truth.

Rest Now Giveaway

Everyone who leaves a comment is automatically entered in a giveaway of Kelly’s book, Rest Now. Winner announced next week.

So, are you looking up?

Are you looking up—remembering God's faithfulness? Giving thanks for what He is doing in your life today? Meditating on His Word? Singing of His goodness? ~ Kelly Balarie #Focus #bookgiveaway Click To Tweet

Sometimes I participate in these link-ups:

Legacy Linkup/Inspire Me Monday/Tell His Story/Purposeful Faith/Recharge Wednesday/Worth Beyond Rubies/Tune in Thursday/Heart Encouragement/Embracing the Unexpected/Candidly Christian and Faith On Fire.