Who are your idols? Is it a Hollywood or TV personality? Or perhaps a YouTube influencer? Or is it a place or thing you love? This is not a quiz or trick question but an important question that may help identify why you might feel overwhelmed or have anxiety in your life now. In previous posts, I have stressed the importance of staying focused on what really matters.
It’s tempting to rely on people and things during uncertain times to alleviate stress. However, the consequences can be detrimental since people are imperfect, subject to change, and things are temporary and fleeting.
So, What Is an Idol?
An idol is “someone or something greatly admired, loved, or revered; an object of extreme devotion. An image or representation of a god used as an object of worship, i.e., adoration, love, affection.”
MY IDOL REVEALED
Interestingly, the inspiration for this topic came while praying for my family. During that time, the Lord revealed that I had unintentionally replaced my family as the center of my thoughts. It was a surprising revelation, but the more I pondered it, the more I began to see the correlation between obsessively thinking about something and idolatry.
“You must not have any other god but me. “You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. (EX. 20:3-4) NLT
My Family and My Thoughts Had Become Idols.
Although general family concerns, caring, and prayers were not bad things, they had caused my focus on God to become sidetracked and off-center. My constant thinking of my family had developed into a small obsession, and my thoughts and prayers needed reprioritizing.
“When something other than God takes first place in a person’s mind, he has entered, at least to some measure, into the sin of idolatry.” (Gal. 5:19, 20) (Paraphrase, Rick Renner)
Obsession
The domination of one’s thoughts or feelings by a persistent idea, image, desire, etc.
Fixation
It is a persistent focus or attachment to an object, subject, concept, or person, often unconsciously.
IDOLS ARE HAZARDOUS
Though my fixation on my family was not readily apparent, its effects began to manifest as doubt, uncertainty, anxiety, and disturbed sleep, all of which are detrimental to your well-being.
Note: Even as Christians, when you shift your focus away from Jesus, you leave yourself open to deceptive thoughts that lead you away from God. Idols can cleverly and unnoticeably enter your life; before you know it, the damage is done.
IDOLS GROW
You may have heard, “What you focus on grows.” Negative mindsets, such as worry, doubt, and uncertainty, can be the starting point for the growth of idols.
GOD, JESUS CHRIST IS NOT AN IDOL OR STATUE
Jesus Is Not a Figment of One’s Imagination, An Illusion, Or a Carved Image. He Is Real.
How and What I’ve Changed:
I continue to pray for my family, but now I consciously and consistently focus on God’s Word, meditate on it, and TRUST Him. I don’t allow myself to get caught up in my own thoughts. Aligning my thoughts with His has helped me to let go of the excessive thoughts of my family.
Peace, calmness and the assurance of God’s word now dominate my thoughts about my family because He has once again become the center of my focus.
When our minds are focused on God and trust Him, we experience a deep, unwavering peace that surpasses all understanding.
Who Or What Are Your Idols?
You may not realize it, but idols can easily become a part of our lives in various ways. They can be subtle and hard to recognize. The best way to identify if you have one is to take the attention test. How much attention do you give them, and are they your top priority?
KEEP YOUR FOCUS ON GOD
“You will keep in perfect and constant peace the one whose mind is steadfast [that is, committed and focused on you—in both inclination and character], Because he trusts and takes refuge in You [with hope and confident expectation].” (Isa. 26:3)
If you don’t know Jesus as your Savior and Lord, pray this prayer in faith!
Dear God, I come to You, acknowledging my need for Your grace. I confess my sins and ask for Your forgiveness. Jesus, I believe You died for my sins and rose again. I invite You into my heart as my Lord and Savior. Guide, transform, and help me live according to Your will. Thank You for the gift of salvation. Amen!
Thank you for sharing my journey with me! God bless you, and I love you!
Sincerely,
Jacqui
