Powerful
(For someone whose default is holding them back)
What you focus on becomes powerful.
It’s a basic fact of how our brains are built. When we focus on something, our brains will literally re-wire themselves. To make focusing on that thing easier. To make it easier for us to think about that thing. Making it more likely that we will go back to that thing. Again and again.
It’s the science behind memory. It’s why we remember certain songs from childhood so well. We sang them so many times that our brains have been hard-wired for that song.
When something gets hard-wired in our brains, it becomes our default. Our unthinking go-to whenever that need arises. Especially in times of stress or crisis.
What you focus on becomes powerful.
The obvious danger? What if we’re hard-wired for the wrong thing?
What if our default, our unthinking go-to is something or someone that fails us when we need them most?
If something or someone your brain is hard-wired for fails you in time of crisis, it’s not just a fail on their part. Because of that hard-wiring, it’s going to feel like a betrayal. No matter how much you tell yourself why they couldn’t have helped, why they didn’t mean to. No matter how much you try to rationalize it. For you, it will still be a betrayal.
For your hard-wired brain, it’s a gut punch. Because that something or someone has become that powerful for you, that betrayal will hurt you on the deepest level.
Which is why the Gospels are so adamant about focusing on the only One who never comes up short. About making the one who is that powerful for you the only One who never fails. God.
The most loving, kind person in the world will still fall short. Still makes mistakes. Is still human.
To allow any human being to become that powerful for you is to set yourself up for that horrible, gut-wrenching feeling of betrayal when they inevitably fall short.
Focus on God. Let God become powerful in your life.
Not only will you never have to worry about that horrible, gut-wrenching feeling of betrayal from the One who never falls short.
But with your focus on God, God will give you the grace to understand, love, and even forgive the people in your life. When they inevitably fall short.
The bottom line – even if you don’t mean to, you will focus on something. Which is why it’s so important to intentionally choose to focus on God.
Because what you focus on becomes powerful.
Today’s Readings
















