Why do so few people manage to enjoy what has been promised to them?
In general, we human beings are very easily distracted because, by nature, we were created with the instinct to survive. This means we can only focus well on one task or goal at a time. Yes, we can multitask, but doing so reduces accuracy and focus.
That’s the point: many of us lose precision and focus on the main goal, and for that reason we unfortunately fail. We get distracted by things that aren’t worth it, setting aside what was promised to us.
That’s why the Bible says:
“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us” (Ephesians 3:20).
According to this verse, God can act in any area of our lives, and there is no situation too difficult for Him. But more than just acting, He gives us in overabundance—more than we ask for. God is not limited by our understanding, our imagination, or even our lack of ability to pray or understand the process of faith.
Here’s the question: if God is not limited by anything, why aren’t we living the life He promised?
The Bible also teaches:
“Some of the leaders of Israel approached me and sat down with me. Then the message of God came to me:
‘Son of man, these people have set up idols in their hearts. They have embraced the wickedness that will destroy them. Why should I listen to their prayers?
Therefore, tell them: “This is what God, the Lord, says: Anyone in Israel who sets up idols in his heart and embraces the evil that will destroy him, and still has the audacity to come to a prophet, let him know that I, God, will intervene and answer him personally according to the multitude of his idols.
I am ready to work on the hearts of the house of Israel—all those who have abandoned Me for their idols.”
— Ezekiel 14:1–5
Here, God was speaking to Israel, but today He speaks to the new Israel: us, the believers.
The idols we keep in our hearts aren’t just statues or objects.
The idols of the heart are anything that distracts us and pulls us away from God.
For example, sometimes we turn our own problem or past trauma into an idol. We stay stuck in that moment, trying only to survive the tragedy or the emotions we haven’t released.
It’s like when someone dies: it’s painful, because we will never again see the person we loved. But there are people who, even years later, remain in the same emotional place as if the death happened yesterday. In other words, they become installed in that emotion or trauma.
But God is waiting to work in our hearts. We only need to believe in Him and remove any idol that stands above God and His power.
With that said, I encourage you to analyze yourself and observe where your true focus is—or if you’ve been allowing yourself to be distracted. Because many people are not living the promises nor seeking them, since they give more attention to the problem… and end up living for the problem as well.
God’s promises still stand; the focus of the heart determines whether we live them.
Reflect: Where is your true focus?
