Struggling to focus

[*Living~By~Faith*]

I struggle to focus when I'm reading the bible and sometimes when I'm praying I will lose my focus as well. I'm going to try praying out loud during my quite time so maybe that will help with that problem. But I don't know what to do about studying. I pray before I begin studying and will do fine for a few minutes, then become distracted with all of these other thoughts. It's usually has to do with something that I want to tell someone. I usually write these thoughts down then try getting back to studying the bible, but that hasn't really helped much.

Another struggle I'm having is focusing on the sermons and SS lessons at church. This is the reason why I decided to post about this in the first place. This has actually been a problem the whole time I've been saved, so it's not like it's a new problem that could be related to the church that I'm now attending. I try taking notes during all of the sermons but don't do very well with that. For one while I'm writing one thing down I will hear another good point, but won't be able to remember it enough to write that one down. I also struggle sometimes with leaving the services not even remembering what the whole theme of the sermon was about in order to go out and share/discuss it with others.

I just haven't learned how to train my mind to shut off all of the outside distractions when I'm studying the bible, praying or in even while I'm at church.

I'm so ready to put my whole focus completely on the Lord, but don't know how to do that yet. I want to quit thinking about things that I don't have any control over, about my future or about my past. I want to only focus on the here and now and on what I can learn from the Lord and on what I can do for the Lord.

[Revinius]

perhaps you have some things you are being called to resolve? or is this problem just the fact that your mind cant stick to one thing for very long?

[moonglow]

You know here lately I have been noticing your posts and struggles in alot of areas with loneliness...with not sleeping well...now this one on not focusing well and I am wondering if you are maybe struggling with some depression? Just a thought here and I don't want to offend you any but all of these things can point to depression which can be caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain...something you cannot just make yourself get over. Depression can affect anyone of any age at any time. Sometimes its short lived, other times its not and medication might be needed to restore that balance again. I really do care about you and hate to see you having so many struggles in so many areas like this. Depression can keep a person from focusing, from getting to sleep and staying asleep and memory. I really wonder if this is something you might want to think about and maybe talk to your doctor about. Its something I have struggled with myself off and on over the years and it can really make a person very miserable! I hate to see you go through this and suffer needlessly if that is it. You should also be checked out for any other medical conditions that could be causing this as their are some besides depression that can cause the exact same problems.

Meanwhile don't be so hard on yourself...its easy to fog out during a sermon..I notice I would do that more when I was tired. If you aren't sleeping well its going to happen.

God bless

[crossnote]

I struggle to focus when I'm reading the bible and sometimes when I'm praying I will lose my focus as well. I'm going to try praying out loud during my quite time so maybe that will help with that problem. But I don't know what to do about studying.

As a small suggestion. Just as praying out loud seems to help, try reading your bible and other study material out loud. In school my grades jumped exponentially when I started reading my homework out loud.
With the sermons, have you tried putting down your pen and paper and just concentrated on liistening? (Then write down the notes when you get home).

[Revinius]

As a small suggestion. Just as praying out loud seems to help, try reading your bible and other study material out loud. In school my grades jumped exponentially when I started reading my homework out loud.
With the sermons, have you tried putting down your pen and paper and just concentrated on liistening? (Then write down the notes when you get home).

Crossnote is right, some people learn differently to others, you might be incredibly good at listening or drawing, or any number of things. Try to gauge how best you retain information...

[graceforme]

Are the sermons in your church recorded? Our church records the messages and then puts them on our web page. I can go back and listen to them again and again. This way I can listen in shorter increments and that helps me remember and study what he's teaching.

I think we all struggle with the same issues from time to time. Our lives are very busy and we have so much on our minds. It makes it hard to keep ourselves on track at times. I, too, have trouble keeping focused when praying - my mind just kind of starts thinking about something that needs to be done or someplace I have to go or something.

I think reading out loud is a good idea. I've started doing that when I read and study the Bible. It also helps me remember points. Also, writing down points about what you are studying may help. I remember things better when I write them down.

Take care and God Bless.

[*Living~By~Faith*]

perhaps you have some things you are being called to resolve? or is this problem just the fact that your mind cant stick to one thing for very long?

There isn't anything that comes to mind that I need to resolve. Although, that had been an issue a few weeks ago until I was finally delivered from something.

You know here lately I have been noticing your posts and struggles in alot of areas with loneliness...with not sleeping well...now this one on not focusing well and I am wondering if you are maybe struggling with some depression? Just a thought here and I don't want to offend you any but all of these things can point to depression which can be caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain...something you cannot just make yourself get over. Depression can affect anyone of any age at any time. Sometimes its short lived, other times its not and medication might be needed to restore that balance again. I really do care about you and hate to see you having so many struggles in so many areas like this. Depression can keep a person from focusing, from getting to sleep and staying asleep and memory. I really wonder if this is something you might want to think about and maybe talk to your doctor about. Its something I have struggled with myself off and on over the years and it can really make a person very miserable! I hate to see you go through this and suffer needlessly if that is it. You should also be checked out for any other medical conditions that could be causing this as their are some besides depression that can cause the exact same problems.

Meanwhile don't be so hard on yourself...its easy to fog out during a sermon..I notice I would do that more when I was tired. If you aren't sleeping well its going to happen.

God bless

That could be a possibility. I think it's more along the lines of stress and worry. My dad has suffered from depression over the past few years and I don't seem to be going through what he is going through. But I will keep that in mind and see about getting it checked out.

As a small suggestion. Just as praying out loud seems to help, try reading your bible and other study material out loud. In school my grades jumped exponentially when I started reading my homework out loud.
With the sermons, have you tried putting down your pen and paper and just concentrated on liistening? (Then write down the notes when you get home).

Yeah, I've tried that and usually don't remember what was said enough to write it down afterwards. But I also don't take many notes in the first place because I usually only catch bits and pieces of the sermon. I usually just write down scripture references that the sermon covers so that I can go back to it and reread it. I also try writing down scripture that the pastor says so that I can look it up and remember it, but I'm not too good with doing that either.

Are the sermons in your church recorded? Our church records the messages and then puts them on our web page. I can go back and listen to them again and again. This way I can listen in shorter increments and that helps me remember and study what he's teaching.

I think we all struggle with the same issues from time to time. Our lives are very busy and we have so much on our minds. It makes it hard to keep ourselves on track at times. I, too, have trouble keeping focused when praying - my mind just kind of starts thinking about something that needs to be done or someplace I have to go or something.

I think reading out loud is a good idea. I've started doing that when I read and study the Bible. It also helps me remember points. Also, writing down points about what you are studying may help. I remember things better when I write them down.

Take care and God Bless.

Yes, the sermons are put on CD. I think they can also be listened to on the website, but my computer is too slow to try loading a sermon to listen to. I was thinking about taking a tape recorder and recording the sermons and SS lesson myself. That way I don't have to worry about asking for a CD of the sermon. I wouldn't be comfortable asking for one every week. But I still struggle to focus when listening to something on CD or on the computer.

There is someone that has been a bit of a distraction at this church, but that is something that I will just have to overcome. Someone being a distraction could and probably would be a problem at any church, so there isn't any point in leaving this church because of this person.

There is an Understanding Scripture class that will begin in a few weeks that I'm looking for to. I just want to figure out what is going on before this class begins, so that I will be able to get more out of the class. I think it's such a shame that I can't focus enough to absorb what is being taught in order to learn and grow.

[livingwaters]

I think the Understanding Scripture class can be a big help!!!! But, you say you want to focus on the Lord, then, you will have to either get over the distraction or possibly change seats, if you are near that person, or whatever it takes...Cause, we serve a jealous God!!!! HE really wants our full attention...But, there are scriptures that promise if you want to know things, you should:

Matthew 7:7 (http://bibleresources.bible.com/passagesearchresults.php?passage1=Matthew+7:7&version=9)
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

Matthew 6:33 (http://bibleresources.bible.com/passagesearchresults.php?passage1=Matthew+6:33&version=9)
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

James 1:5 (http://bibleresources.bible.com/passagesearchresults.php?passage1=James+1:5&version=9)
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

Believe me, I have to read these over and over and over and keep seeking and seeking....Amen!!!!:hug:

[LUV1]

when it comes to reading the bible and listening sermons and prayers my mind would wonder off. so, i started listening to the audiobook bible on itunes...i listen to it while im at work because my work requires very little attention, so i can listen to my ipod for my whole 8 hour shift. prior to that i listened to sermons via my ipod and also at church, but i really couldn't focus. then i figured out its because its a combination of not understanding and focus bc i couldnt focus i wasnt able to understand. so instead of reading the bible i listen to the bible and it helps me focus which in turn helps me understand and now when i hear sermons im able to say oh i know where the pastor is going with this b/c in the bible job did this and this etc.....as oppose to before where i was like job who? he did what? stuggles? and whales? WHAT? lol but i read the bible afterwards and from my listening of it im able to catch things i didnt catch before while i am reading.

[Sold Out]

I struggle to focus when I'm reading the bible and sometimes when I'm praying I will lose my focus as well. I'm going to try praying out loud during my quite time so maybe that will help with that problem. But I don't know what to do about studying. I pray before I begin studying and will do fine for a few minutes, then become distracted with all of these other thoughts. It's usually has to do with something that I want to tell someone. I usually write these thoughts down then try getting back to studying the bible, but that hasn't really helped much.

Another struggle I'm having is focusing on the sermons and SS lessons at church. This is the reason why I decided to post about this in the first place. This has actually been a problem the whole time I've been saved, so it's not like it's a new problem that could be related to the church that I'm now attending. I try taking notes during all of the sermons but don't do very well with that. For one while I'm writing one thing down I will hear another good point, but won't be able to remember it enough to write that one down. I also struggle sometimes with leaving the services not even remembering what the whole theme of the sermon was about in order to go out and share/discuss it with others.

I just haven't learned how to train my mind to shut off all of the outside distractions when I'm studying the bible, praying or in even while I'm at church.



It may not be YOU that is the problem. Satan may be working on you to keep you from focusing. He will do anything to divert us from the things of God.

When I read the bible and before I go to church, I ask the Holy Spirit to prepare my heart to read/hear God's Word. That seems to help.

[*Living~By~Faith*]

I sometimes pray on the way to church that the Lord will clear my mind of all distractions and help me to get something out of the service. I need to make a point to do that before every service, but I don't always remember to. But I'm now remembering that I have struggled to focus with other things in the past such as when watching a movie or even back in high school, I would find myself daydreaming and not know what the teacher said. I guess this is just something that I'm going to have to work on to here I can completely focus on the Lord.