The Stirring Faith Blog

Overcoming Spiritual Distractions

Do you ever find yourself at the end of a busy day, wondering where the time went and why you couldn’t focus on what truly matters in your spiritual journey? I’ve been there too, and I’ve discovered that the struggle of overcoming spiritual distraction to stay on course with God’s plan is a common challenge for many Christian women.

Today, we’ll tackle this very issue by delving into the Focused Faith Formula, a set of strategies that can help you overcome spiritual distractions and make meaningful progress in your relationship with God. Let’s dive right in!

Overcoming Spiritual Distraction by Following the Future Path

Keep your eyes straight ahead. Proverbs 4:25

It’s easy to get caught up in the distractions of daily life. This verse reminds us to keep our eyes fixed on the path God has laid out for us. The Message version of this same verse calls us to “ignore all sideshow distractions.” Left to myself, I can waste oodles and oodles of time each and every day. I am not able nor smart enough to keep my gaze straight.

Setting aside time each day for focused prayer and reading the Bible is my only hope of overcoming all the sideshow distractions. Some of these sideshow distractions seem like really good ideas. So, I literally bring my To Do list into my prayer time because I am so prone to veer off the path. I encourage you to do whatever is necessary, whether that be turning off your phone, setting a timer, or finding a more distraction-free zone to help minimize the opportunities for chasing the sideways jaunts that keep you from making spiritual progress.

Overcoming Spiritual Distraction by Fixing Your Focus on the Spiritual

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:2

Our minds often wander to worldly concerns, causing us to lose sight of God’s purpose. Make a conscious effort to shift your focus. Not only do I bring my To Do List into my prayer time, but bring Scripture I can pray. Starting your day by meditating on God’s Word and praying, keep your thoughts centered on eternal matters.

Too often, you and I show up to pray with nothing more than an anxious mind that wanders within a few minutes. My times like this were not very productive nor did I feel like I was making any spiritual progress or deepening the relationship. But A few years ago, all of that changed. I downloaded a free prayer app, called ECHO, where I can add verses into the app to pray, giving my brain and heart a tool for focusing on all thing spiritual.

If you are interested, you can download the ECHO app here. Or, maybe you will develop another technique that will work for you. The bottom line is that if you and I want to make meaningful progress in our relationship with God, we need strategies like this one from the Focused Faith Formula.

Overcoming Spiritual Distraction by Fortifying Your Senses

I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless. Psalm 101:3

Our surroundings greatly influence our focus, don’t they? Take a moment to evaluate the things you expose yourself to, including TV shows, social media, and conversations. Sometimes you and I expose ourselves to what is socially acceptable, but not if our aim is godliness. Or we might settle for exposing ourselves to what is not “bad,” but it may still be “worthless.”

As you think over what you place before your eyes and ears, consider if these things align with God’s purpose. If not, consider eliminating or reducing them to create a distraction-free environment.

Overcoming Spiritual Distraction by Foster Daily Renewal

Be transformed by the renewal of your mind. Romans 12:2

God’s purpose for our lives often requires a transformed mind. To achieve this, we must move beyond a fifteen-minutes-with-God approach. John Piper points out that if you want leaves, rake the surface, but if you want diamonds, you must dig deep. One way to ensure we overcome our tendencies to rake the surface in terms of our spiritual lives is to participate in in-depth Bible study. There is much we will never know and understand about God and our walk with Jesus, but there is oh so much we can know. The Focused Faith Formula calls us foster daily renewal of our minds by digging for gold rather than being satisfied with leaves on the surface.

Overcoming Spiritual Distraction by Fighting to Win the Day

You and I are in the middle of a battle—a war for our devotion. Paul articulates the warring for who we will follow and what we will believe well by giving words to this struggle that is more spiritual that we might realize:

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5

Every day you and I encounter all sorts of things that conflict with our faith, vying for our allegiance, the scope of which ranges widely. Essentially, this is a battle of the mind, and it’s a fight worth fighting. And fight, we must.

The woman who is actively working spiritual progress recognizes the fight she is in, and equips herself to fight back with divine resources.

The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 2 Corinthians 10:4

Paul warns us that we cannot sit back and let life happen, distracted from the fight by practicing a casual Christianity. If the enemy can’t have your soul, he wants everything else near and dear to you: your family, your health, your home, your relationships, and your faith (John 10:10). But he will settle for your ineffectiveness and small belief. Allow me to share a secret with you that took me too many years to learn:

You can learn to win the day, one small battle at a time.

So, take heart, my friend. You can overcome your lack of focus in this battle for your thoughts. Arm yourself with the truth of God’s Word to conquer destructive wanderings and entrenched beliefs. Whether it’s struggling to believe in God’s love or your forgiveness, find verses that speak to your heart and fight back. You can be an overcomer, led by the Holy Spirit, taking captive every thought, making them obedient to Jesus as Lord of your life.

Remember, with the Focused Faith Formula as your guide, you can overcome spiritual distractions, stay focused on your spiritual journey, and make meaningful progress in your relationship with God. Don’t let distractions deter you; embrace the tools and strategies to win the day. Your journey towards a deeper, more focused faith is about to begin.

xoxoxo,

 

Before you Go, don’t forget to 🌟 Join the Momentum: How to Get Spiritually Unstuck 5-Day Challenge! 🌟

Are you ready to break free from the chains that hold you back and embrace a vibrant spiritual life? If so, then this invitation is for you!

Allow me to invite you to our exclusive 5-day challenge, Momentum: How to Get Unstuck. This transformative experience helps you overcome obstacles, ignite your spiritual growth, and unleash your true potential.

Each day, you’ll encounter Biblical truths, devotional insights, and a personal challenge. These help you cultivate momentum and step into a more profound connection with Jesus.

Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to revitalize your spiritual path! Join us for the Momentum: How to Get Spiritually Unstuck 5-Day Challenge. Discover the limitless possibilities that await you.

Ready to take the leap? Sign up now and let’s embark on this transformative journey together!

Click here to join the challenge and unlock your spiritual potential

See you there!

Consistent Daily Devotions Amid Life’s Chaos

Consistent Daily Devotions Amidst Life’s Chaos: Grace-Filled Strategies for a New Season

As we step into the first of a new season, many of us find ourselves in a reflective mood. After months of a relaxed summer schedule, it’s a natural time to regroup and reassess our priorities. It’s an opportunity to rethink our time, focus, and where we want to be in the next season. In the midst of this transition, we often desire to establish or rekindle a consistent daily devotional habit, but life’s chaos can make it feel like an elusive goal. I understand the difficulty, the challenge, and the disappointing sense of failure that can come with trying to maintain a consistent daily devotional habit. So, what’s a busy woman to do when she’s already doing more than she’s able? It’s a great time to explore how to maintain consistent daily devotions amidst life’s chaos as we step into this new season.

Let me share a bit of my own journey to encourage you. As a mother of eight children, I know all too well how demanding life can be. There have been days when I’ve felt like there simply wasn’t enough time or energy left for my personal devotion with God. It’s easy to get discouraged when your to-do list seems to multiply by the minute, and finding a moment of quiet reflection feels like an unattainable luxury.

Embrace Grace Over Perfection for More Consistent Daily Devotionals

First and foremost, my dear friend, allow me to invite you to embrace grace over perfection. It’s a lesson I had to learn the hard way. As moms, we often set high standards for ourselves, wanting to be everything to everyone. But in the process, we can forget that God cherishes our hearts more than our achievements.

Start small

Don’t pressure yourself with the expectation of hours of uninterrupted devotion time. Even if it’s just 10-15 minutes in the early morning or a brief pause during naptime, it’s a beautiful offering to God. Remember that God values your consistency and desire to seek Him daily, even when life feels overwhelming.

Establish a Sacred Space and Time for More Consistent Daily Devotionals

Creating a sacred space and time for your daily devotions can make a world of difference. I often found solace in a cozy corner of our home, a place where I could retreat from the chaos and focus on God. Whether it’s early in the morning before the household wakes up or during a quiet moment in the evening, having a dedicated space and time makes it easier to resist life’s distractions.

Yes, it might require some adjustment in your daily routine (I have moved both time and space through the years), but it’s a commitment worth making. Finding the best time for your season of life is really answering the question, “What is the first moment when you could choose to do something else besides the urgent?” Remember, God honors the effort you put into seeking Him, no matter when or where it happens.

Utilize Devotional Guides and Apps

One of the challenges I faced was knowing where to start or what to study during my devotional time. This is where devotional guides and apps can be your faithful companions. They provide structure and inspiration, which can be a lifesaver for busy moms like us.

YouVersion, for example, offers a treasure trove of Bible and devotional plans tailored to various interests and spiritual needs. You can choose plans on topics that resonate with your heart and the guidance provided simplifies your daily devotions. It’s like having a trusted friend walk alongside you on your spiritual journey.

It is my privilege to partner with YouVersion for this very endeavor in the lives of Believers all over the world. YouVersion is not only a free app, but one that allows you to set reminders to help you make your devotional time a habit amid your crazy schedule. You can find the plans I have written here.

Invite Accountability and Share the Journey

Lastly, consider inviting a trusted friend or family member to share in this pursuit of daily devotion. As moms, sisters, wives, and friends, we know the power of accountability. Sharing your goals and struggles with someone who can encourage you and hold you accountable can make a significant difference. Since my phone is always with me, it makes sense to find a way to achieve this goal of accountability using technology, like YouVersion readily available.

Additionally, consider sharing your devotional insights and experiences with other women who understand your journey. Sharing what is really going on in your life often inspires others and creates a sense of commitment to your own devotional practice. When you know others are journeying with you, it can provide that extra motivation to stay consistent.

The most important aspect of establishing some consistency is knowing you are not alone. God knows life is demanding, but He wants you to know Him and seek Him every day. He sees your heart’s desire to seek Him, even amidst the chaos.

 

So embrace this grace. Create a sacred space. Utilize Bible plans and devotional guides, and invite accountability into your life. Your pursuit of God is a precious offering, and He meets you where you are, rather than waiting for you to get where you wish you were.

In the midst of the challenges you face each day, may you find moments of grace and peace in the presence of our loving Heavenly Father. He understands the busy seasons of life and cherishes every effort you make to draw near to Him.

With love and solidarity,

 

Before you Go, don’t forget to 🌟 Join the Momentum: How to Get Spiritually Unstuck 5-Day Challenge! 🌟

Are you ready to break free from the chains that hold you back and embrace a vibrant spiritual life? If so, then this invitation is for you!

Allow me to invite you to our exclusive 5-day challenge, Momentum: How to Get Unstuck. This transformative experience helps you overcome obstacles, ignite your spiritual growth, and unleash your true potential.

Each day, you’ll encounter Biblical truths, devotional insights, and a personal challenge. These help you cultivate momentum and step into a more profound connection with Jesus.

Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to revitalize your spiritual path! Join us for the Momentum: How to Get Spiritually Unstuck 5-Day Challenge. Discover the limitless possibilities that await you.

Ready to take the leap? Sign up now and let’s embark on this transformative journey together!

Click here to join the challenge and unlock your spiritual potential

See you there!

Memorize Like a Boss

How to Memorize Like a Boss

Podcast #79

Memorize like a boss

Welcome to the Podcast–How to Memorize Like a Boss

Last week I was doing what most of you do on social media: sharing the headlines and pictures of the Who’s Who in my life. One particular post celebrated the 292 Bible verses our kids memorized and recited on New Year’s Eve this year, and their goals to move ahead with at least 100 more next year. We are not part of a club, team, or ministry that helps us accomplish this feat. It’s just my own system created out of a recognized need. So I offered my two cent’s worth for how we are being successful at memorizing Scripture every year. Surprised by the response, it became evident other people needed what I recognized years ago that I needed. Therefore, today I put together an episode that addresses How to Memorize Like a Boss!

Note: this is our final episode as THE SHE YEARNS PODCAST. God willing, by next week, we will be here-after recognized and known as STIRRING FAITH WITH CHERI STRANGE. But don’t worry. If you are a subscriber, unlike I originally thought, you will not need to do anything. You should automatically be updated with the changes, I am assured.

So that you know, Stirring Faith will contain the same type of quality content and messaging. We simply felt we needed clearer packaging to help people locate the podcast and recognize what it was about. Thank you for listening and being a part of the community!

There are two IMMEDIATE benefits for you with these changes I want to mention:

  • You can now listen on Spotify!
  • You can share Sound Bites like this one from the Friday episode! (Ha! It’s appearing rather LARGE in this post, but it’s PERFECT for social media sharing on Instagram or Facebook. It will help your friends try it out a few seconds to see if it’s something worth their time and your recommendation.) I will be sharing these on social media and you can share it, too.

There are more benefits to come I can’t wait to share with you. But these are all I’ll mention for today.

Don’t forget about The Show Notes!

Just fill out the form and today’s note will go straight to your inbox. Every episode after you sign up should show up on the device of your choosing. What could be better?

How Awesome is Show Notes?

If you are already a subscriber to the She Yearns Updates, you will begin receiving a link to a pdf. But this is different. By signing up here, you will ONLY RECEIVE Show Notes for the podcast. There is nothing to download unless there is some sort of bonus offered.

You can also use this resource to take with you to coffee with a friend or sit with a small group and talk about the topic together. It’s a quick low prep to no prep way to have a deep discussion about relevant Gospel-centered topics that matter to your everyday lives. So don’t wait! Sign up today!

Besides, How to Memorize Like a Boss — Your God is For Me is one of my favorite recent episodes. You can find it here if you are interested.

You can now check out the latest episodes from iTunes, GooglePlay, Stitcher, iHeartRADIO, or BuzzSprout. Just click on the links below! As always, you can scroll down and listen right here!

soul care

soul care

And if you have not already become a subscriber to the podcast, allow me to invite you to become one for the She Yearns Podcast by going to any of the providers and signing up for the RSS feed to have it automatically updated to your device! It’s basically ONE CLICK! And it doesn’t use any extra memory and really makes life easier.

If you enjoyed this episode, How to Memorize Like a Boss, or found it helpful, please leave a comment or review in your hosting provider service! We cannot do it without you! The only way the word goes out further is with your help. Please share it as you feel the leading.

Thank you for listening,

 

Best App for Praying

Best App for Praying

Podcast #57

So you know you need to pray but keeping your focus and staying on track is difficult? Need ideas? Want to share your requests with others? Want to organize your prayers and keep a record or what is going on in your spiritual life? In this episode, I introduce the best app for praying someone shared with me that has truly revolutionized my prayer life. I just HAD to share it with you. Welcome to ECHO. Today, in the She Yearns Podcast, that’s what we look at.

You can now check out today’s episode, Best App for Praying, from iTunes, GooglePlay, Stitcbher, or SoundCloud. Just click on the links below! As always, you can scroll down and listen right here!

If you want to read more about it or see it in more word format, check out the blog post.

Allow me to invite you to become a subscriber to the She Yearns Podcast by going to any of the providers and signing up for the RSS feed to have it automatically updated to your device! It’s basically ONE CLICK! And it doesn’t use any extra memory and really makes life easier.

If you enjoyed this episode or found it helpful, please leave a comment or review in your hosting provider service. I also love it when you post below! It really helps the ministry. We cannot do it without you! The only way the Word goes out further is with your help. Please share it as you feel the leading.

Thank you for listening.

Cheri

How Do I Pray

How Do I Pray

Podcast #31

Have you ever known someone who seemed to be able to pray for something and God answered their prayer? Like, every time no matter how serious or trivial the request may be they seem to have a direct line to God? How do they do that? Although it may seem they are special chosen ones from above, there is method to the madness. You and I can experience effective prayer just like those we hold in awe. This is exactly what Cheri addresses in this series, How Do I Do That? Today we look strategies the Bible provides for answering this question specifically, How Do I Pray?

This episode is part of a new series, How Do I Do That? that hopes to meet you in the most basic Christian disciplines. You can now find How Do I Pray, and other episodes of the She Yearns Podcast from iTunes, GooglePlay, Stitcher, or SoundCloud. Just click on the links below! As always, you can scroll down and listen right here!

Listen to Stitcher

 

Allow me to invite you to become a subscriber to the She Yearns Podcast by going to any of the providers and signing up for the RSS feed to have it automatically updated to your device! It’s basically ONE CLICK! And it doesn’t use any extra memory and really makes like easier.

If you enjoyed this episode or found it helpful, please leave a comment or review in your hosting provider service. I also love it when you post below! It really helps the ministry. We cannot do it without you! The only way the Word goes out further is with your help. Please share it as you feel the leading.

Thank you for listening.

Cheri