When we face a problem, how many times do we find ourselves searching frantically for the answer, only to realize later that the answer was right there in front of us? We fail to see the answer because we are too busy focusing on the problem. That is exactly the situation a Samaritan woman found herself in one afternoon.
Jesus was resting near a well in Samaria when a woman approached the well to draw water. Upon seeing the woman, Jesus offered the woman living water; water that if she drank, she would never thirst again. The woman, having no idea who Jesus was, answered:
“But sir, you don’t have a rope or a bucket,” she said, “and this well is very deep. Where would you get this living water?”
Instead of focusing on Jesus’ promise of living water, the woman focused on the problem that she saw standing between her and the living water: Jesus’ lack of a rope or bucket to draw the water. Her focus on what was not there kept her from seeing what was right in front of her. Jesus was patient with the woman and did not give up until she understood that the living water was Him! Her understanding came when she finally took her eyes off the problem and focused her attention on the promise.
When my oldest daughter was a senior in High School, she served on the board of her high school’s chapter of the National Honor Society. As a board member, she was chosen to emcee the induction ceremony. Upon finding this out, fear plagued her. She didn’t want to speak at the event. She wanted to pass on this amazing opportunity. Thoughts ran through her head like “I am afraid to speak in front of my class, so how can I speak in front of hundreds of people?” “What if I forget what I’m saying?” “What if my voice shakes?” What if I mess the whole thing up?” “What if people know that I am afraid?” She spent time focusing on her fears instead of on God. The more she focused on these fears, the bigger they grew and the less sure of God she became.
When she realized that focusing on the problem (her fear) did not help her find her answer (peace), she decided to adjust her focus. She began praying God’s promise of 2 Timothy 1:7.
“God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”
By praying this promise, she began seeing past the problem and focusing on the bigger truth standing before her. She set her eyes on Jesus, not on her fear. Because of her renewed focus, her faith began to rise inside of her and her fears began to subside.
On the evening of the ceremony, I approached her to give her my best wishes. She looked at me and said, “Mom, I’m not afraid” and she wasn’t. She went on stage in front of hundreds of people and spoke. Her fear was gone. She gave all glory to God because she knew and still knows that He gave her the spirit of power and love and enabled her to face this deep-rooted fear with His confidence and peace.
The next time you find yourself toe to toe with a problem or circumstance that you can’t find your way around, stop focusing on the problem and start focusing on the Promise. For every problem that you face, God has the answer. God will speak to you and encourage you through His Word. Open your Bible, find His promise for your situation, and pray that promise. Focus on His promise and let it take root inside of you and before long your problem will not be able to stand – it will have to bow under the weight of the truth of the Promise.
What are some of the promises that you are standing on? I’d love to hear from you.
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