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The Importance of Focus – Ellen Andersen
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Don't Let this Worry You

Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back. Philippians. 3:13-14 The Message

I opened a quarterly e-mail from my investment company. The first line really caught my attention, not because of its content, but rather its significance. Don’t let this 90-day report affect your long-term goals.

“The first thing you’ll look for when you open your quarterly statements is whether your investments are up or down. If you find a significant change in the value of your investments, it’s going to mess with your head.”

I stopped right there. Wow. What a thought. How many times did I do that with other things in my life? The long commute to work, frequent interruptions, laundry that still hasn’t been done. Any of these can get me worked up.

When I focus on those, they can mess with my head too. And inevitably I fail to notice the blessings God has given me — waking up in a comfortable home, having enough food to eat, and having family and friends who love me.

It’s not just the little things that can do that though. Occasionally life throws real curve balls. It’s only natural, normal, and legitimate to become upset or worried. Some might wonder whether we were in touch with reality if we didn’t. Serious health problems, threats of foreclosure, or never-ending family conflicts are all significant problems. Surely we aren’t supposed to just ignore all this. Of course not.

Paul lived through some horrendous experiences—shipwrecks, floggings, hunger and thirst for days on end. Yet, he persevered in his faith and service to God. His secret was his focus.

My guess is, it was that very same focus that despite his circumstances, kept his eye on what God had called him to. He remembered what God had done for him in the past.

It’s easy to forget all those things as we go about our days. Maybe we don’t actually forget. We just push them to the back of our minds as life happens. Perhaps that’s why it’s so important to keep going back to God throughout the day, so He can remind us of who He is, and that He’s faithful to care for us as His children.

Focus your eyes on Him and He will see you through.

Ellen Andersen is a member of the Upstate Fellowship of Christian Writers in Greenville, SC. She serves as a Stephen Minister at her church and is involved in a Women’s Bible Study. She is working on a memoir detailing how God used unforeseen circumstances in her life to change her focus and make her more dependent on Him.
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Can I Trust You with This? – Ellen Andersen
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In your goodness, O God, you provided for the needy. Psalm 68:10

I was out of work.

I’d been employed at the hospital for about four months and enjoyed my duties. One day I went to work only to learn the hospital had closed the hospice and contracted its services with another agency.

Now what God? I thought. How am I going to live without an income? I looked for work, but to no avail. I prayed for months, asking God to direct me to other work, but found nothing. Still, I never went without food, electricity, or heat.

God’s provision came in some of the most unpredictable ways. I received a windfall owed to me that I’d long since forgotten about. One day I picked up my mail and found an envelope with $40 cash. Whoever sent it clearly didn’t want to be recognized or thanked, as there was no return address and they’d sent it to “eLen anDerson,” and printed it as a four-year-old would.

To this day, I don’t know who it was, but I’m grateful God used them to provide for me. God proved quickly that I was to trust in Him, not in the world.

After several months, I landed a job with a temporary agency. Though it only provided intermittent work, it was enough to sustain me until I found permanent work a year later.

Through this, God showed me He knows what we need, when we need it, and He will provide, even when we can’t see how. Despite the circumstances, God is in control and has a plan to accomplish what He wants to do in our lives.

If you’re wondering how to get through a seemingly impossible situation, turn to God and ask Him to show you. He will meet your needs in His time, and according to His plan. You can trust everything to God.

Ellen Andersen is a member of the Upstate Fellowship of Christian Writers in Greenville, SC. She serves as a Stephen Minister at her church and is involved in a women’s Bible study. She is working on a memoir detailing how God used unforeseen circumstances in her life to change her focus and make her more dependent on Him.
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Listening to the Spirit – Ellen Andersen
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The Holy Spirit is able to teach you all things. What He teaches you is truth, and not a lie. I John 2:27

Sweet gum balls littered the lawn. It was spring and the flowers bloomed in my garden.

Each year I spend hours raking the sweet gum balls off the lawn and tossing them in the trash. On this particular day I raked them into piles, scooped them into the dustpan, and threw them away. When I re-examined the area, I found one I’d missed. I picked it up and tossed it.

The further I walked, the more I found. I was surprised at how many I’d overlooked. How could I not have seen them? I’d already gone over the area thoroughly.

I realized this mirrored my spiritual life. It’s easy for me to go about my days and overlook my sin. I fail to recognize them even as I evaluate my life. I need to pray continually and pay attention to the Holy Spirit as He reveals my sin. The joy comes in abandoning these things and replacing them with what glorifies God.

Just as clearing my yard of sweet gum balls is a process that takes time and continual upkeep, ridding my life of sin is an ongoing practice that I need to make time for. Both require paying attention to detail and getting rid of what doesn’t belong. Only by looking to Him and listening for His voice, can I hear Him convict me of my sin.

Do you go through your days simply moving from one task to the next and checking them off your list, or do you stop to listen to the Spirit? Learn what He wants you to do and follow through with what He reveals.

Ellen Andersen, a native of California, moved to Greenville, SC nine years ago. She is a member of the Upstate Fellowship of Christian Writers and An Author World in Greenville, SC. She serves as a Stephen Minister at her church and is involved in a women’s Bible study. She is working on a memoir detailing how God used unforeseen circumstances in her life to change her focus so she could minister to others to whom she could not otherwise relate.
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Obedience School – Ellen Andersen
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If you love me, obey my commandments. John 14:15

Our six-month-old puppy has a strong will. He’s a naturally happy, people-loving dog, but he has a mind of his own. While that’s not necessarily bad, it can get him into trouble. So we found ourselves at obedience school with him.

During the first two weeks of class, we focused on basic commands like sit and stay. But in week three, we learned what I saw as one of his most significant needs—the necessity of paying attention to us. We learned how to teach this important concept. Once he was sitting in front of us, we held his leash up straight so his gaze was focused on us. When he looked away, I was taught to give the leash a slight tug. If he continued to ignore me, I increased the force to bring his focus back to me.

The purpose of this lesson was two-fold. First, it taught the dog who his leader was and that he needed to do what he was told—even if he didn’t want to. The second reason was protection. His owner can see more than he can and can spot unseen dangers, like a car coming down the road, or an unfriendly dog. If he focuses on his owner and pays attention, he’ll be safe. If not, he risks getting hurt. Whether he’s distracted by other stimuli, or simply chooses to be stubborn, he increases his risk of harm.

I realized the same is true in my life. I’m like the puppy who’s still learning what to do in each situation. I can’t see everything around the corner or ahead of me, but I have a Heavenly Father who can. He sees the big picture. He is the Master who loves me and has my best interests in mind. So I need to trust him and follow his lead. As long as I do, He’ll keep me safe. But I have to pay attention.

Be obedient and focus on Him.

Ellen Andersen, a native of California, moved to Greenville, SC nine years ago. She is a member of the Upstate Fellowship of Christian Writers and An Author World in Greenville, SC. She serves as a Stephen Minister at her church and is involved in a women’s Bible study. She is working on a memoir detailing how God used unforeseen circumstances in her life to change her focus so she could minister to others to whom she could not otherwise relate.
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Drawing Us Back – Ellen Anderson
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We know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance character, and character hope. And hope does not disappoint us because Christ has poured out His love to us through the Holy Spirit. Romans 5:3-5

In an instant I was dependent for everything. I was accustomed to being independent and working full-time. Work was intense, so I devoted all my time and energy to it. As a result, I put my relationship with God on the back burner, turning to Him only when I needed something. Until everything changed.

I had a stroke. I’d always been self-sufficient and it was a real struggle to suddenly need help for everything. Dependence, in my eyes, w as a weakness and I couldn’t accept this as my reality.

“Why did you let this happen, God?” I cried.

It took time, but I realized sometimes God allows problems and setbacks in our lives for reasons we don’t understand. For me, it was a physical battle. I needed to learn my weakness was in the failure to depend on Christ…my stubbornness to manage alone.

I could question God, ask why He would let this happen, or I could trust Him to do what’s best for me—even when I couldn’t see the purpose. Grappling with why He’d allowed this, yet trusting in His promise to never leave or forsake me was critical to maintain spiritual strength in the midst of life’s trials. He kept His promise and never left me.

These days I pray more, nurturing my relationship with Him. And, though it takes me time to surrender to His ways, His will, and His timing, the process brings me closer to Him. Even if the circumstances don’t change, I do. I relax as His peace enters my life.

Sometimes His purpose is simply to draw me back to Him.

If you’re facing trouble or hardship, call out to Him. He’ll be there.

Ellen Andersen, a native of California, moved to Greenville, SC nine years ago. She is a member of the Upstate Fellowship of Christian Writers and An Author World in Greenville, SC. She serves as a Stephen Minister at her church and is involved in a women’s Bible study. She is working on a memoir detailing how God used unforeseen circumstances in her life to change her focus so she could minister to others to whom she could not otherwise relate.
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Seasons of Growth – Ellen Andersen
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There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance. He has made everything beautiful in its time. Ecclesiastes 3:1, 3-4, 11

I went for a stroll to get the blood flowing and hoping to feel better. I’d been feeling pretty low, even depressed. So I opted for a stroll along the Rose Walk. I soon learned God had far more in store for me than I’d expected.

Along the way, I passed dozens of rose bushes, their flowers all different in size, color, and stage of growth. Each contributed to the beauty of the garden. Several were at their peak.

Some of the bushes were clearly past their prime; the petals had fallen and only thorns remained. They needed to be pruned. With time, TLC, and nourishment by a seasoned gardener, they would flourish again.

Pruning a rosebush requires the gardener to cut its branches; at times rather severely. When it has first been cut back, it’s anything but attractive. Only short branches and thorns remain. But pruning is vital to the health of the plant, encouraging new growth, and shaping it as the gardener desires.

After they’ve been pruned, roses become dormant for a season. It is their time to rest, be fed, and receive what they need without giving anything back. This promotes new growth which takes place throughout the winter, just beneath the surface. Only when spring arrives can the results be seen.

The same is true for us. We go through various seasons in our lives. While some are productive and enjoyable, others are a real struggle. In the midst of a crisis, we often focus on ourselves and our immediate situation, having little energy for anything else. We may need others to help us through the process. I needed help. As painful as it was, God used people to mold and shape me to better reflect His image.

Remember, pruning hurts, but God is trustworthy. If you are hurting and in need of help, come to the foot of the cross and be pruned by the Master Gardener.
Ellen Andersen, a native of California, moved to Greenville, SC nine years ago. She is a member of the Upstate Fellowship of Christian Writers and An Author World in Greenville, SC. She serves as a Stephen Minister at her church and is involved in a women’s Bible study. She is working on a memoir detailing how God used unforeseen circumstances in her life to change her focus so she could minister to others to whom she could not otherwise relate.
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But It’s MY Money – Ellen Anderson
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And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. Philippans 4:19 NIV

My fist clutched the coins. Clink, clink. My grasp loosened and the coins dropped into the plate.

Mom and Dad had taught me to give some money in Sunday school class each week when the teacher collected the kids’ offering. I took the quarters from my allowance and put them in the plate. It was normal. It was how I was taught. I didn’t give a second thought to obeying my parents expectations.

One day I heard about “tithing” — giving 10% of my income to the church. “There’s no way I can do that. I need my money. Besides, I earned it.” My clutch tightened around the money I needed for bills. This was a new concept and I needed to learn.

The pastor preached that the Bible mentioned money more than any other subject. I bristled, not wanting to hear any more. “Tithe your resources to the church in terms of talent, time, and money,” he said. The first two I accepted. I got involved in Bible study and volunteered at church. But my money was exactly that—mine.

Years later, God raised the topic again. A pastor on Christian radio shared God’s challenge to test Him regarding our finances, to learn that God would provide our needs. Did God want me to test Him? I wondered. Unsure, I tried it, committing to give 10% of my check to the church.

I figured it couldn’t last because I needed money to live. But God surprised me. He provided all my needs. Maybe God’s promise really was true and He would take care of me. I’ve put Him first ever since—even with my finances. And He never fails me.

Are you afraid to loosen your grip? Our earthly possessions are just on loan. Take a risk and trust Christ. He just might surprise you.

Ellen Andersen, a native of California, moved to Greenville, SC nine years ago. She is a member of the Upstate Fellowship of Christian Writers and An Author World in Greenville, SC. She serves as a Stephen Minister at her church and is involved in a women’s Bible study. She is working on a memoir detailing how God used unforeseen circumstances in her life to change her focus so she could minister to others to whom she could not otherwise relate.
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