The other night I was up until 3AM in full anxiety mode because the reality of all the things I thought I would have done or figured out or life seasons I would be in by now. I turn 30 this fall and it’s seriously getting in my head. I went into full cleaning mode which ended in me sitting on my kitchen floor broom and dust pan in hand crying because I haven’t even figured out how to continually keep my apartment clean and organized. Heck I haven’t even figured how to get it organized to start with!

Then that morning I went to grab leggings for my outfit and only found one pair clean that was on the more spring like side, stopping above my ankles. As I stared at the mountain of laundry needing to be washed in the corner of my room. I stood there mentally tearing myself down as to why I spent the last few nights binge watching Parks and Recreation instead of doing laundry. Until God reminded me of what is important. And that the enemy is just waiting for any and everything to distract me from what God has. Maybe even unmet expectations and unfinished laundry.

I’ve been listening to the audio book Girls with Swords by Lisa Brevere, and even though I am only a few chapters in, God is using it to speak truth into my heart. In The first couple chapters she talks about how the enemy will try to distract us from what God has for us to accomplish. It’s so easy to get distracted! We can get distracted with trials and challenges of life. We can get distracted with to do lists and goals. And we can get distracted with dreams and what the future will hold. I’m not saying dreaming is bad or setting goals and to do lists are wrong, but if our focus is so much on that, that we miss what God may have for us then it can easily be used by the enemy as a distraction.

For me, not being able to sleep because of anxiety about things that I cannot really control especially at 3AM was distracting me from needed sleep. And in my anxiety I turned to cleaning instead of taking the time to seek God through His word and prayer. Distraction. Being disappointed or discouraged with not being where I thought I’d be as I approach this age marker, is also a distraction. When you spend time beating yourself up for not doing this instead of that or things from your past, again, distraction. Berating yourself on what should be or could have been doesn’t help grow you closer to the Lord and it doesn’t further the gospel.

I’m reminded of the verse Hebrews 12:1 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.” (NLT) The whole idea of being focused on the mission Christ has given us on earth and not being distracted is also brought up in Philippians 3:14. In Philippians 3:14 it talks about pressing on to reach the end of the race (life) and “receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” (NLT) If you are running a race to win a prize, you have to be focused. Distractions mean not winning the prize.

So sweet sisters (and brothers), what little or big thing is the enemy trying to use to discourage and distract you today? And will you let him? Will you pick your self up straighten your crown and remember that you’re a warrior daughter (or warrior son) of the Most High!