Self-control and Distractions

In the middle of all the theological books, devotions, blogs, and Christian "to-do's" God teaches his children in profound ways which transcend the aforementioned materials. It's in the stillness and silence of moments in time—perhaps extended moments—where God speaks most clearly. I know this is the case for me.

Perhaps my confession is this: I can read books like I drink coffee, early and often. I can hammer out a book like a construction worker building a new road. I can check off my Christian "to-do" faster than speedy-gonzalaz. However, I have the most difficult time quieting myself, distraction free, before the Lord. My initial instinct is to blame society. All the bells and whistles vying for my attention. My cell phone is case-and-point. It dings for emails, text messages, phone calls, etc. (and yes, I have enabled restrictions to limit the dinging and vibrating). The root of my inability, (and I think other people can empathize), is self-control.

The apostle Paul often talks about the need for self-control. It was an issue for the early Christian church and it is still an issue today. Gal. 5:22 says, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control." Paul also says in 2 Timothy 1:7, "For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." Self-control is a fundamental quality needed to commune with the living God.

With 10 years of walking the Christian life, I've learned a few things about quieting myself in front of Jesus.

Ways that help me to calm down and get rid of distractions

• Be intentional — don't expect a thirty minute slice of your day to expectedly become free. Carve out time to be with Jesus.
• Remove distractions — find your cell phone and turn it off. There is not a person on the planet who is so important that you can't hear from them for a short time period. 
• Find a comfortable place to pray and reflect — a closet, a desk, in the bathroom; it does not matter. Everyone is different but find a place that allows you to be clam.
• Consider using Scripture — many of my quiet times begin with Scripture and then solitude and silence. To each one there own, but Scripture rightly aligns my mind and heart. 

Don't take these tips as gospel, but just consider what it means for you to remove distractions, become self-controlled, and to commune with the Triune God.