THE JOYFUL LIFE
  • Home
  • Shop
  • Blog
    • HEART
      • Faith
      • Bible Study & Theology
      • Marriage
      • Motherhood
        • Motherhood (ALL)
        • Parenting Toddlers to Tweens
        • Parenting Teens
        • Parenting Adult Children
        • Raising Boys
        • Raising Girls
      • Divorce | Single Motherhood | Blended Families
      • Adoption & Foster Care
      • Infertility & Miscarriage
      • Friendship & Community
    • HOME
      • DIY Projects
      • Family & Home Management
      • Fun for Kids
      • Homemaking
      • Homeschool
      • Hospitality
      • Recipes
    • LIFE ISSUES
      • Anxiety
      • Difficult Family Dynamics
      • Emotions
      • Health
      • Identity & Purpose
      • Loss | Suffering | Grief
      • Work & Life Balance
    • REVIEWS
      • App Reviews
      • Book Reviews
      • Product Reviews
    • FEATURED INTERVIEWS
    • SEASONAL & HOLIDAY
  • Daily Devotions
  • About
    • Meet the Team
      • Management & Staff
      • Editorial Team
      • Blog Contributors
      • Devotion Writers
      • Photographers
    • Statement of Faith
  • Work with Us
    • Write for Us
    • Advertise
    • Employment
  • Contact
  • account
The Joyful Life News
Sign up to receive Joyful Life Community news, weekly blog post updates, shop announcements, and more.
A QUARTERLY COLLECTIBLE | Heart & Home Inspiration
THE JOYFUL LIFE
  • Home
  • Shop
  • Blog
    • HEART
      • Faith
      • Bible Study & Theology
      • Marriage
      • Motherhood
        • Motherhood (ALL)
        • Parenting Toddlers to Tweens
        • Parenting Teens
        • Parenting Adult Children
        • Raising Boys
        • Raising Girls
      • Divorce | Single Motherhood | Blended Families
      • Adoption & Foster Care
      • Infertility & Miscarriage
      • Friendship & Community
    • HOME
      • DIY Projects
      • Family & Home Management
      • Fun for Kids
      • Homemaking
      • Homeschool
      • Hospitality
      • Recipes
    • LIFE ISSUES
      • Anxiety
      • Difficult Family Dynamics
      • Emotions
      • Health
      • Identity & Purpose
      • Loss | Suffering | Grief
      • Work & Life Balance
    • REVIEWS
      • App Reviews
      • Book Reviews
      • Product Reviews
    • FEATURED INTERVIEWS
    • SEASONAL & HOLIDAY
  • Daily Devotions
  • About
    • Meet the Team
      • Management & Staff
      • Editorial Team
      • Blog Contributors
      • Devotion Writers
      • Photographers
    • Statement of Faith
  • Work with Us
    • Write for Us
    • Advertise
    • Employment
  • Contact
  • account
0

Fixing Our Gaze

  • Tara Dickson
  • October 4, 2022
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Print

People say, “hindsight is 20/20.” You and I know that’s true. We can see so clearly when we look back what we could have, should have, or would have done.

But what if instead of using that skill for regret, we used it for our own good?

If you’re like me, friend, it’s easy to focus on all the ways we’ve missed out. Or maybe your eyes gaze overly long on the plans you had for your life and how present circumstances look and feel so different. But the truth is, we get to choose where we focus our eyes and attention.

When my third graders are talking in the classroom, I often say, “1, 2, 3, eyes on me.” They know this means to stop talking, stop allowing their friends to distract them, and direct their attention back to me. Even at the age of 9, we understand we have the power to direct our attention to the one who has the answers for us. But somewhere along the way we grow lazy, and we allow life to direct us. We allow our feelings to dictate what we do, and we grow weary and discouraged.

So, this is your reminder friend, when looking back or even just looking around you, be intentional. Direct your gaze to the One who holds all the answers. Don’t rehearse your regrets, rehearse His faithfulness. Remind your heart of all the ways He has shown up amidst life’s disappointments. This is how you can find peace for your soul.

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2, BSB).

0
0
0
0
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Print
Tara Dickson

Tara is a recent widow and mother to four children. Following her husband’s death to, brain cancer in 2016, she began writing to help people find hope in hard places. She also writes children’s fiction, and is an agented author with Credo Communications. She spends her days, teaching, writing, podcasting and being Nana to Ava Rose and Aria Violette. You can find her sharing words of encouragement at taradickson.com or on Instagram @tara_dickson. She makes her home in Franklin, TN where the hills are green and the barns are plenty.

1 comment
  1. Nikki S. White says:
    October 4, 2022 at 4:28 am

    I love this, Tara! Thank you.

    I will be thinking about your illustration all day.

    “1, 2, 3, Eyes on me!” and fix my gaze on Jesus and His faithfulness to me.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

TRENDING POSTS
  • Good manners 1
    We Don’t Talk That Way in Our House: Teaching Kids Good Manners
  • How do i forgive myself 2
    How Do I Forgive Myself for My Mistakes in Parenting in Light of Grace?
  • Personal bible study 3
    How to Transform Your Personal Bible Study Time With An Easy Perspective Shift
  • Valentine’s day with kids 4
    6 Unique Ideas for Celebrating Valentine’s Day With Kids
  • Prayers for a broken marriage 5
    5 Prayers for a Broken Marriage: Praying Scripture For a Hurting Heart
RSS Daily Devotions
  • Rough Draft to Masterpiece March 24, 2023
  • Find Your Way Free March 23, 2023
  • Seeing Your Samaria March 22, 2023
  • One Day, It Will Be March 21, 2023
  • Called Beyond My Ability March 20, 2023
VISIT OUR SHOP
  • Issue 15 | ADVENTURE — Digital Version $14.00
  • Counting It All Joy—A Digital Bible Study on Joy COUNTING IT ALL JOY | Digital Bible Study $12.00
  • Issue 05 | TREASURE | Winter 2019
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    $28.00
The Secret Society of Salzburg Book Cover
The Joyful Life News
Sign up to receive Joyful Life Community news, weekly blog post updates, shop announcements, and exclusive offers for our subscribers.
Follow Us on Instagram

AMAZON AFFILIATE PROGRAM DISCLAIMER | The Joyful Life is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Amazon offers a small commission on products sold through their affiliate links. Every purchase you make through our Amazon affiliate links supports our ministry at no additional cost to you.

  • BLOG
  • SHOP
  • WRITE FOR US
  • EMPLOYMENT
  • ADVERTISE
  • Terms
  • ACCOUNT
  • Contact
© 2022 The Joyful Life Co., LLC

Input your search keywords and press Enter.