Hyperfocusing on God

Here’s a peculiar phenomenon that occurs with me. When something grabs my interest, I can hyperfocus on it to the point that I neglect other important things in my life. However, if that thing with which I was so enamored becomes a responsibility, my mind quickly finds something else to get its interest in. Most of the time, it’s one of the emergencies that occurred from the neglect of the other areas in my life.

This blog for instance. It’s been two months to the day since my last post. For that, I apologize. Lots of shiny things have been swirling around in my life–some important, some not so important. And they drew my attention from Attention Deficit Devotional.

Until this morning.

I had the thought that I need to put my interest back on God. What could be wrong with hyperfocusing on Him? Are you an ADDer struggling with your spiritual life? Try to stop seeing it as a chore. Instead, picture the benefits of putting your interest in God. When you do, Bible reading, quiet times, and prayer become things of delight. And you’ll do them out of the love of God. Not just another item on your to do list.

Romans 8:5 (NIV)

Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.

Priorities

Sorry it’s been so long since my last post. That’s one of my typical ADD traits. Start strong, then don’t fallow through. I recognize, though, that a trait isn’t  an excuse.  So I feel that, at least for me, this and the following post are timely.

As an ADDer, you might feel that your life is chaotic, as all the shiny objects in the world (and there’s a lot of them) vie for your attention. Typically, the organization experts will try to help structure your life by telling you to write down your priorities, make lists, get organized, and develop a complex filing system.

At least for me, that doesn’t work. And how is this a devotional? I often feel that my life is in chaos. Especially at times when I’m looking for that one important piece of paper: the one I saw yesterday. The one I made a mental note to put away. The one that’s now dropped off the face of the earth. During times like that, it’s important to stop, get centered on Christ, and remember that our first priority is to serve Him. Then let Him fill your mind and heart with peace. Then, maybe it won’t be so hard to navigate through the clutter in your life.

Matthew 22:37-39

Jesus replied: ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ (NIV)

Disappointment with Myself

I had a disappointment with myself yesterday. That happens a lot for people with ADHD. What I found most discouraging was that in everything related to this disappointment, I could see where ADHD gives me trouble. But I couldn’t say, “It’s not my fault. It’s my ADHD.” In fact, with this knowledge, I have more responsibility, not less.

Starting today, I’m going to have to find a better strategy for staying on focus. But the good thing is that today is a new day. The past is behind me. I cling to the following verse on a daily basis. It gives me hope because the Lord’s mercies are new every morning.

Lamentations 3:22-23 (KJV)

It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

Self Control and ADHD

If you have ADHD, you most likely feel that you don’t have much self control. If you are more prone to hyperactivity, sitting still for a length of time can be torture. If you are prone to inattentiveness (like me), trying to stay on-task can be a nightmare.

I’ve often wondered how the fruit of the spirit of self control works in the life of someone with ADHD. I read Galations 5:22-23 and wonder, where’s mine?

I think the answer is this. In spite of my brain working against me on a second-by-second basis, I manage to get through the day, do my job, survive. Maybe not as efficiently as someone else, but I get by. I suspect that self control is at work in me. Maybe, I even have more self-control than someone without ADHD. Most people don’t have their brains fighting them every step of the way. We do.

Galations 5:22-23 (NIV)

But the fruit of the Spirit is … self control.

Take stock of what you accomplish in spite of your ADHD. You’re not like most people. And what you get done is amazing. The Lord knows what you’re going through, and He’s on your side.

Why I Procrastinate – Part 2

The second reason I procrastinate is usually because it’s a task I hate. If it’s something I despise, I have an extremely difficult time staying focused on the task. But while I can’t get myself to start tasks I hate, I can hyperfocus for hours on something that keeps my interest. So how do I get around it?

Luke 12:34
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Think of “interest” as a synonym for “heart.” We folks with ADD tend to follow our hearts wherever they lead us. So what I try to do is convince myself of the value of the task. I visualize the good that will come from completing the task and make that my treasure. And often, my heart (interest) follows. When there’s something you can’t get yourself to do, fix your heart on the reward for getting it done.

See you on Monday for the next devotional.

Regrets

This is on my heart this morning. As a person with ADHD,  I have a lot of regrets. I’ve said stupid things on impulse, words I can never take back. I’m tortured with thoughts of what could have been, had I only applied myself. Focused more.

Do you have regret? Are you suffering consequences for mistakes and sins from which you have long ago repented? Things you just can’t undo?

Take heart. The Lord is bigger than your mistakes.

Joel 2:25

And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.

Why I Procrastinate – Part 1

Procrastination. It’s the bane of all who suffer ADHD.  I’ve found there’s two main reasons I put things off. The first is a feeling that I just can’t do it. I see the messy office, the stacks of to-do lists, piles of laundry, and feel overwhelmed. Powerless. And it’s easier to just walk away. But I’ve taken encouragement in this verse:

Phillipians 4:13

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Read that verse in different versions. It means exactly what it says. When I feel like I just can’t tackle the paperwork, or anything,  I remind myself that I can rely on the strength of Christ.

We’ll talk about the second reason I procrastinate tomorrow.

Tired of fighting your brain?

Having ADHD, I feel that I’m always fighting my brain just to get anything done. I get tired of keeping my eyes from following the latest shiny object. Distractability is a weakness I’m always fighting.

What’s your weakness? You’re not alone if you have one. Even the Apostle Paul had weaknesses. Take encouragement from this verse and let the Lord amaze you with what He can do despite, or even because of, your weaknesses.

2 Corinthians 12:9 (KJV)

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.