Where's My Focus?

Rhoda Baty

Guest post by Rhoda Baty

Romans 7:15 says, “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.”

This scripture came to mind as I struggled with my choice to be positive. Negativity swirled around in my head picking up more negative thoughts like a tornado picking up items in its destructive path.

I couldn’t seem to stop it. The more I tried the more I picked up. I spiraled downward in my self-talk.

What am I doing, I’ve been a Christian for years, I should have a handle on this by now. Will God EVER be able to use me to the capacity He has given me when I can’t even have a positive thought?

My focus was totally on my inability. Then I saw this quote by Robert Murray McCheyne, “For every look we take at ourselves, we should take ten looks at Christ.” My focus should have been on God’s ability. He gives me strength to think positive, to make better choices, to walk and talk so I look like Him. I was not allowing the Holy Spirit entrance into my problem to help me solve it.

In my entrepreneurial life this plays out not only in my negative thinking about myself but also in my procrastination, time management, office organization, self-care and financial responsibility to name a few.

What is the most recurring circle of ‘negative thinking’ you most often find yourself caught in?

Who are you looking at? It is time for looking at Christ and His ability instead of ourselves and our inability.

Scriptures for thought: Romans 12:2; 2 Corinthians 10:4; Proverbs 3:5-6

Rhoda Baty is a Life Coach with “Hopeful Heart Coaching”, and works as a secretary at an alternative high school. Rhoda lives in  Snohomish, WA, about 30 miles north of Seattle, with her pastor husband of 37 ‘never a dull moment’ years, two daughter’s/son’s in law and her 7 grandchildren.