Latest / Grounded Growth / Worship: Why What You Focus On Shapes Your Life
Transcript
- Steph Mic: Hi, welcome back. I'm Stephanie Petrie and today's episode is all about worship. Worship why what you focus on shapes your life. In this episode, we're going to discuss why what we focus on matters. What happens when our focus is misplaced? What worship actually is? Nicole Mic: Nicole Girardi. And today's episode is all about worship. Worship why what you focus on shapes your life. In this episode we're going to discuss why what we focus on matters. What happens when our focus is misplaced. What worship actually is. And simple ways to refocus your attention and how worship reorients our hearts. Steph Mic: and simple ways to refocus your attention and how worship reorients our hearts. Nicole Mic: and what you consistently focus on will eventually shape how you think, how you feel, and how you live. And I think that many people don't realize they are already worshiping something. They just may not realize what it is. So Steph, why does it matter what we focus on? ⁓ Steph Mic: I think what we focus on matters more than we realize because it doesn't just stay in our thoughts. It begins to shape our entire perspective, which then leads to our actions and even our relationships. So it ends up encompassing our entire life. And what we consistently return to in our minds starts to influence how we interpret situations and how we respond and even how we see ourselves. focus is constantly on what's wrong, what's lacking, or what feels overwhelming, that becomes the lens we see everything through. And then you become the negative Nellie. ⁓ And I to remind myself whenever I'm starting to feel overwhelmed that ⁓ It's not wrong to feel overwhelmed. That's that red flag, right? That's that signal that we might need to pull back. We might need to pray. We might need to get some more space in our situation so that we can think and reground ourselves. But we don't want to be that constant nagging person either. And so over time, that focus doesn't just affect our mindset. It begins to affect our emotions and our decisions that we make. I think that's why it feels so easy ⁓ to spiral sometimes because our attention has been pulled towards something that keeps reinforcing the same thoughts. And so that's why, you know, when I'm starting to feel isolated and then nobody likes me or I have said something to somebody that made them mad or, you know, and you just start spiraling to justify that same emotion over and over again. But the opposite is also true when we intentionally shift our focus. Nicole Ghirardi: Hi, welcome to Grounded Growth Podcast. I'm Nicole Girardi. And I'm Stephanie Petry. We believe that grounded growth comes from being intentional about compassionate connections that are beautifully balanced while flourishing in faithfulness. Each week we will share real conversations, encouragement, and simple systems to help build a life that feels steady, aligned, and grounded. So sit back, maybe grab a coffee, and join us where clarity meets calm and growth feels intentional. Stephanie Petry: And I'm Stephanie Petry. We believe that grounded growth comes from being intentional about compassionate connections that are beautifully balanced while flourishing in faithfulness. Each week we will share real conversations, encouragement, and simple systems to help build a life that feels steady, aligned, and grounded. So sit back, maybe grab a coffee, and join us where clarity meets calm and growth feels intentional. Before we dive in, if you want to make sure you never miss a conversation, hit that subscribe or follow button. Steph Mic: it begins to reshape how we experience our day-to-day life. So that is the good news. Like even though we are talking about it in the negative sense right now, we're going to be focusing more on that positive sense too, because it works both ways. Nicole Ghirardi: Before we dive in, if you want to make sure you never miss a conversation, hit that subscribe or follow button right now on whatever app you're listening on. Nicole Mic: Absolutely. our attention is constantly being pulled in so many directions. So, know, from the moment we wake up, there are a dozen things competing for our attention. Notifications, responsibilities, worries, other people needs, our kids, know, grabbing our coffee, whatever the case may be. And, you know, Steph brought up a good point last episode is, you know, turning off all of your notifications, you know, that way, then you're not having all of those distractions. Stephanie Petry: right now on whatever app you're listening on. Nicole Mic: There are so many things that are competing for our attention and most of that pulling happens automatically. It's not even in our control and we don't always choose where our focus should go. Instead, it just drags us throughout the day. That's why being intentional about where we direct our attention is so important and that's where routines definitely come into play because it's if we're not something else will decide for us to do. We also focus Nicole Ghirardi: you for joining us for another episode of Grounded Growth. We hope today brought you clarity, encouragement, and a gentle reminder that you're not walking this journey alone. If this episode spoke to you, we'd love for you to share it, subscribe, and leave a review. We'll see you next week. Until then, Stephanie Petry: Thank you joining us for another episode of Grounded Growth. ⁓ We hope brought you clarity, encouragement, and a gentle reminder that you're not walking this journey alone. If this episode spoke to you, we'd love for you to share it, subscribe, and leave a review. We'll see you next week. Until then, Nicole Mic: on problems more than progress. And I think that's a big struggle for a lot of us is that our brains are actually wired to notice what's wrong more than what's right. And it's a survival instinct, but it doesn't always serve us well in everyday life. And it's easy to spend the mental energy on what isn't working, what hasn't happened yet, or what you're afraid might go wrong versus all of the things that Nicole Ghirardi: stay grounded and keep growing. Stephanie Petry: stay grounded keep growing. Nicole Mic: that are happening and that's where I love to be able to write down my small wins and you know at the end of the day and being able to dive back into that. So we're trying to rewire our brain for that. But when we practicing noticing what is moving us forward, even if it's the small wins, it shifts our entire perspective of everything. ⁓ You know, another thing is this stress naturally pulls our focus towards what feels urgent. When we're stressed, our brain narrows in on that one problem that's in front of us and it's really a protective response because if we can make everything feel bigger than it really is, ⁓ then our mind kind of goes into wire mode and we're trying to focus on one thing, but then all of those distractions start coming into play again. ⁓ Urgent doesn't always mean it's important though. but when we're under the pressure, it's hard to tell the difference of that. And that's where we struggle. I know I struggle with, because I feel like everything I write on my planner is very important. And I've realized that even just an easy quick of that's, these are your top priorities. Here's that other to do list, but these are the priorities that need to be focused. And that's the time that you do versus saying I have 20,000 and things on this to-do list that I gotta get done today. So learning to pause and ask, is this actually urgent or is this just loud? Can really help you reclaim your focus when things are kind of going into a spiraling for you. What we repeatedly think about starts shaping our mindset. So your thoughts aren't just passing through. You should know that. know, they're literally laying down the patterns in how we see and how we experience life. So if you're constantly thinking about, my gosh, my jeans don't fit me. I look horrible in the mirror. Then we're going to have those negative thoughts of I'm fat. I can't eat, you know, and all of these things. And then we spiral into that mode. And that's creating our mindset that we don't have confidence in ourself. And that's really a hard thing for us to be able to do because we're We're the biggest critics of our own lives. We're the biggest one to give all the And I think that we are way too hard on ourselves. ⁓ So the more you think of a certain thought, the more automatic it becomes, which is why shifting your focus isn't always easy at first. So ⁓ but with the consistency, intentional practice, you can begin to rewire your minds to be able to get rid of those defaults that you've created for yourself. Steph Mic: And that's why it's so important to pay attention to where our focus is actually going because when it is misplaced we don't just feel off for a moment we start to live from that place over and over and over again. So Nicole what happens when our focus is misplaced? Nicole Mic: I would say that my anxiety increases when I focus on what I cannot control. ⁓ much of what we worry about is outside of our influence. ⁓ the more we spin on it, the more anxious we feel, the more that we feel that tightening in our chest and you you get so worked up and then you're overthinking everything. ⁓ know, and the anxiety tends to shrink when we redirect our attention to what we can do instead. What we what we know to do and what we do have in front of us to be able to focus that time ⁓ This isn't a toxic Positivity, I think it's just more about choosing not to pour energy into what we can't change ⁓ You know, another thing is is comparison increases when we focus on others You know when our attention is constantly on other people's lives you know, looking at the highlight reels, looking at how perfect they are on Facebook, you know, those perfect families that you saw on Facebook and you know, all of their achievements and you compare yourself to your coworker, it's almost impossible not to measure yourself against them. And that comparison is what steals your ability to appreciate what you actually are and who you're becoming and what you have. And it keeps you in a cycle of you're not enough. And that is so hard because I mean, it's, it's, it's every, it's around us. I mean, that's really a worldly trait that we have is that comparison. And you have to remember that God created you uniquely and that you're not going to be, you know, the Steph, the Nicole, the, know, whoever you are, who you are for a reason. And you have to remember that the antidote to comparison isn't ignoring others either though. ⁓ It's just rooting your attention in your own lane ⁓ and your own calling and your own story that God is creating for you. ⁓ Discouragement increases when we focus on what is missing. ⁓ So when you're overlooking the gap between where you are and where you want to be, ⁓ it's hard to feel motivated or grateful. And that's when we really need to pause and remember gratitude isn't about pretending everything is fine. It's about choosing to acknowledge what is present even while you're you're working towards what isn't yet. And that's a hard thing to be able to to do at times. But, you know, it's that reflection that I really think that you have to dive into to be able to really start start feeling that and start believing it is really is the mindset of that. and last but not least is peace decreases when our attention is scattered. ⁓ when your mind is in ⁓ different places at once, ⁓ going to do your to-do list, your worries, your past, your future. ⁓ exhausting ⁓ disorienting. ⁓ if you ⁓ ⁓ doing that piece, is it just about the quiet circumstances? It's about the focus in the settled mind. ⁓ And even the small moments of the intentional focus is choosing one thing to give you for a full attention to ⁓ that can really begin to restore a sense of calm for you. I think when when focus is misplaced, mean, obviously our focus needs to be on worshiping. Steph Mic: I think when, our focus is misplaced, I mean, obviously our focus needs to be on worshiping God, ⁓ and glorify him forever. ⁓ but ⁓ tend to glorify our story instead. ⁓ and we start becoming self-focused again and you know, ⁓ woe is me and life is happening to me, not for me. And, ⁓ so we just tend to be constantly in this, like we've said before, this spiral. when our focus is misplaced, creates this constant sense of tension internally. ⁓ might not even be able to name it right away, ⁓ sometimes I feel restless ⁓ or even frustrated or even just like this unease. ⁓ And I just was telling Nicole that I felt that way this week. Like just something was off. I couldn't even really place my finger on it, ⁓ I just knew it was. I was just not my normal self. And so I think that one of the biggest things that we start to magnify things that were never meant to hold that much weight in our lives to begin with. And you really helped me just now by talking about how we tend to just get into that negative talk. And then we're not realizing the steps we are taking to get us out of that to begin Small problems start to feel overwhelming. Other people's lives start to feel like a measuring stick for us. And what we don't have starts to feel louder than what we do have. And that's something that Nicole, I just want to reiterate that Nicole said, because we are doing life the best we can with what we know. It's not that that's perfect or who we want to be at that moment, but we are doing life. And so that in itself is a win. And so we need to realize that we have been placed on this earth for a purpose and that, you know, are we living out that purpose with intentionality? Are we able to continue to learn and grow from the lives that we have been given? Or are we just willing to stay the same and not grow and be stagnant? ⁓ That's where some choices need to come into play and some reflection needs to come into play. ⁓ And so we also have over time that misplaced focus pulls us further away from peace as Nicole also said and because peace isn't just about what's happening around us. It's deeply connected to what we are choosing to fix our attention on. Nicole Mic: because peace isn't just about what's happening around us. It's to what we're choosing to fix our attention on. And I think that this is where we sometimes misunderstand worship because worship isn't just singing. It's actually what we center our thoughts and attention on. So what is worship, Steph? I think when we hear the word worship, we immediately think of music. Yeah. Or something that happened in a church. Steph Mic: It's actually what we center our thoughts and attention on. So what is worship? I think when we hear the word worship, we immediately think of music, like you said, or something that happens in a church setting. yes, corporate worship is going to church with other believers. But worship is actually much broader than that. Worship is whatever consistently holds your attention. your affection and your focus. Worship is whatever consistently holds your attention, your affection and your focus. And that can even be for non-believers, somebody that's not religious. You still have a faith and sense, ⁓ even if you don't follow a organized religion, because something takes priority in your life. It holds your attention, your affection and your focus. It's what you return to when your thoughts... ⁓ It's what you return to in your thoughts when you have space and it's what you dwell on when things feel uncertain So for me, that's Jesus period the end ⁓ and you know going to corporate worship going to Spring Hills Church with my church family being taught by pastor Dave being able to have ⁓ Elders in the church that I can go to to be guided in when I feel uncertain Going you know reading scripture and prayer. Those are my foundation in my faith in a Christian faith. And that's why this matters so much because whether we realize it or not, we are always worshiping something. And the question ⁓ ⁓ we are worshiping, it's what are we worshiping? ⁓ ⁓ we choose to center our lives around will ultimately shape how we think, feel and live. And one more thing about that. if you are a Christian, if you are a believer in Jesus, ⁓ then if you tend to gravitate and prioritize other things that are not ⁓ being in the Bible or that are not being faith-based, just be careful because we call those idols. Idols are anything that is taking the place of God. in your life. ⁓ So what is that thing in your life that is taking precedence over your faith? Nicole Mic: So what is that thing in your life that is taking precedence over your faith? You know and think that just kind of the piggyback on a lot of what stuff says I feel like we have a lot in common with how how we want to explain this is is that ⁓ I think worship what you constantly give your attention to like stuff said it doesn't have to be your Sunday morning activities of going to Sunday school and ⁓ you know then to church I think it's the And that, you know, think about what occupies your mental space most often. And that's a pretty honest picture of what you're worshiping. And it could be work. It could be relationships. It could be fear. could be comfort. Most importantly, I hope it's God because, and most of us are worshiping a mix of things without even realizing it. So, you know, worship is what you allow to influence your thinking and that whatever you're consistently consuming and listening to and dwelling on is shaping the way you think and whether you intended or not and that is why you know it's so intentional that we have to set your mind on things above with God more than the things that are happening in the worldly view and you have more of this over time that you might think and it needs to just be small and consistent have more of an urgency over this than you might and that small consistent choices about what you take in ⁓ make a real difference. ⁓ Worship is also ⁓ what you emotionally center your life on Steph said is is that what do you turn to when you're anxious or more importantly who do you turn to when you're anxious when you're sad when you're celebrating that emotional anchor is what you're centering your life around and that I know Steph and I both hope that that's God that's Jesus it's the Holy Spirit of being able to turn to so then that way then you're getting that truth like we talked about in our last episode you know for some of us though it's the productivity it's the approval It's the control and those things can feel stabilizing in the moment, but it's never Satisfying to us and that true worship really centers us on something that can actually hold the weight We're placing on it and that's And last thing that I think of it with worship is is it shapes your perspective? Your perspective is how you interpret what happens to you and around you and is directly shaped by what you're looking to as your ultimate source of meaning. So when our perspective is shaped by God's truth, hard things don't define us and good things don't sustain us the way that they're meant to. Worship reorientates the lens through which you see everything. Steph Mic: looking to as your ultimate source of meaning. So when our perspective is shaped by God's truth, hard things don't define us and good things don't sustain us the way that they're meant to. Worship reorientates the lens through which you see everything. So if worship is really about what we're consistently focusing on, then the next question becomes, how do we begin to shift that focus in a way that actually brings peace instead of pressure? Nicole Mic: starting your day intention instead of reaction. Roots Journal. Steph Mic: your day with intention instead of reaction ⁓ Roots journal ⁓ pick up your Bible ⁓ Nicole Mic: Pick up your Bible. You know, most of us start our mornings in reaction mode. The second we wake up, immediately reaching for our phones, letting the outside world set the tone for the day. And that even if it's starting with a few minutes of intention, with your prayers, with your roots journal, with just reading scripture, just in the stillness of being able to talk to God creates the space to choose where you, where your focus begins and you don't have to overhaul your morning. It's it's I know that I feel like I'm on like a repeated record and it's but it doesn't have to just start small, you know, and that way then it helps you lead your day and instead of letting it leave you. ⁓ Another one is limiting the constant negative inputs. And that's another thing we talked about last episode is is really take an honest look at what you're consuming. the news, your social media, certain conversations, certain relationships, people that you talk to at work and notice how it's affecting your focus and your peace. And is it bringing you closer to, you know, worshiping God and, know, or is it pulling you away from that and you're losing your whole purpose? ⁓ you don't have to disconnect entirely, creating some intentional limits can really significantly reduce that mental noise that you're carrying. Another one is practicing gratitude to redirect focus. That is where, that's part of our Roots Journal, and the first thing in the morning is writing something that you're thankful for and that you're blessed to have. ⁓ I ended it my night too, because I want to start with something and I want to end with something like that. So gratitude just isn't a feel-good habit either though. It's a spiritual one ⁓ and it's a grounded practice that literally redirects your attention. ⁓ When you're intentionally naming what is good, what is present, and what is true, interrupts the spiral of the chaos and the wrong focuses that you have. And it doesn't have to be elaborate. mean, it could be a simple three worded sentence, you know, it just, just whatever you can start your day and end your day can really begin to shift your perspective over time. And then the last one I have is building moments of pause into your day. ⁓ This is the one that I struggle with the most. And right now I'm literally having to put it into my time blocking schedule because I don't pause enough in my day. I feel like I'm great with worshiping God in the morning and worshiping God at night, but I can get lost in the day. So kind of some things that I do is that it doesn't require a lot of time. It just requires the intention, even if it's just 60 seconds of stillness can really reset your focus for this. know, considering the small checkpoints throughout your day. You know after a meeting before lunch at the end of the afternoon to just re-orient your thoughts of what's going on. know set a reminder on your phone ⁓ or schedule yourself a text message because we always look at our text messages. So schedule yourself your own text message to ⁓ ask question of the day in the middle of the day to bring you back to the truth and to God's Word. ⁓ These really create that space. ⁓ for the stimulus and the response, which is where your greatest freedom and I really think clarity lives. Steph Mic: it starts ⁓ with ⁓ Simply noticing where your thoughts are going throughout the day. Are they constantly pulled towards stress, comparison, negativity, or are they grounded in something steady? And if they are grounded in something steady, like if you are someone that feels like you have this, you know, this worship mindset kind of figured out, ⁓ then who you bringing alongside you to teach that to? ⁓ Just because you may be ⁓ mature in that way ⁓ doesn't mean there isn't still areas to grow in. You need to share that knowledge and that wisdom that God has given you ⁓ share it with other sisters in Christ as well. So ⁓ kind of another ⁓ of that to think about. One simple shift is just creating intentional starting points in your day, as we have already discussed before the noise comes in, before the scrolling, and before the reacting. Steph 2: Another simple way to refocus your attention is to give yourself permission to pause, which Nicole talked about. And one thing that I do for this, I'm not perfect at it, but the YouVersion Bible app allows you to have like the verse of the day sent to your phone with a notification. And it actually sends it even to my Apple watch. So I have it send in the middle of my lunch so that I get notified while I'm eating and I'm able to read the scripture while I am eating lunch. And most of the time, ⁓ if I am eating lunch by myself, I'll pray through it or even just read it silently, depending on who I'm around or even read it out loud to a friend that I might be with. So that's another little tip and trick. ⁓ Even small moments of stillness can help you reset your focus and your thoughts. I started time blocking and there was this half hour time that I have every day at towards the end of the day and I used to put something in there but I quit doing it and I just leave it blank now and that way I can use it for what I need but sometimes I use it just for rest and just to chill for a minute in my day. I also think it's important to gently redirect your thoughts when you notice them drifting. And so that is just one of those being intuitive with who you are and where your thoughts go and how you process. And so when you notice that you start drifting, having something in place for you to bring you back to that truth. And so I have some scriptures saved in the notes on my phone that will always help draw me back. And not with pressure, but just with intention. These aren't big overwhelming changes again. These are small consistent shifts that help bring your attention back to what matters most. Nicole Mic: point this stops being just about ⁓ and it starts becoming about what we are allowing shape our heart. So Colossians ⁓ chapter three, ⁓ verse two, set your minds on that are ⁓ not on things that are on earth. This verse such a clear reminder that where we place our focus is actually a spiritual practice. Set your mind. Steph 2: This verse is such a clear reminder that where we place our focus is actually a spiritual practice. Set your minds. That's intentional and it's a choice. ⁓ It's not about ignoring what's happening around us, but it's about choosing what we allow to take the highest place in our thoughts and in our hearts. Worship at its core is about reorienting ourselves back to God. It's shifting our focus from everything that feels heavy, everything that feels urgent or out of control and placing it back on what is steady and true. And that is Jesus as our constant. And I think this is where real peace begins, not because life becomes easier, but because our focus becomes anchored. And worship reminds us that we are not in control and that's actually where freedom is found. It brings us back to truth, back to perspective and back to God. And I call my quiet time in the morning, personal worship. It is my personal worship time with the Lord. My time at church is corporate worship. It's where I am worshiping the Lord alongside brothers and sisters in Christ. And then we also practice family worship at night where we come together and we do a family devotion and we have talks about our day and also about like how it aligns with the scripture we're reading. And so worship happens more than at church. It is truly who you are and how you live your life and everything. aspect and area of your life. So true, I think worship shifts our focus from that pressure to really giving us peace. And when we turn our attention towards God, like through prayer or scripture or simply acknowledging Him and His presence, it physically and emotionally shifts something in us. And that pressure doesn't always disappear, but our relationship to it changes when our focus is anchored to something greater. And that... Nicole Mic: So true. I think worship shifts our focus from that pressure to really giving us peace. And when we turn our attention towards God, like through prayer or scripture or simply acknowledging him and his presence, it physically and emotionally shifts something in us. And that pressure doesn't always disappear, but our relationship to it changes when our focus is anchored to something greater and that this is the piece that surpasses the understanding. and It doesn't always make logical sense, but it's real and it's available to you. ⁓ Worship also reminds us what is truly in control ⁓ and that is God. ⁓ one of the most truths is that we are not in charge of everything ⁓ and worship is what helps actually believe that and live with that every day. Our focus is to return to God. We are reminded that things were gripping to so tightly are already held by someone far more capable than us and letting go of that control doesn't mean you're giving up it just means we're redirecting our trust to where it belongs. Steph 2: And when our focus begins to shift like that, it doesn't just change a moment. It starts to change how we live day to day. Nicole Mic: Absolutely. with that, we're wrapping up our episode with some simple things just to walk away from is really one is pay attention to what is shaping your thoughts this week. This isn't about judgment. It's about honest observation. Just notice what's consistently occupying your mental space. Is it worry, comparison, plans, people, God? You might be surprised what you find when you simply pay attention. Another one is, is what you focus on will either build peace or steal it. So this is one of those truths that sounds simple but lands differently when we really sit with it. your focus is either working for or against you. There's no neutral ground. ⁓ So the invitation this week is choose something ⁓ more intentional ⁓ to notice when your focus is peace and gently ⁓ redirect it. ⁓ And that ⁓ peace often starts with intentional attention. So peace isn't passive. It's something we participate in by choosing what we're directing our own minds. So it might not feel natural at first. I know it wasn't for me, but redirecting your focus takes practice, but it gets easier and more automatic over time. So the peace that God promises isn't the absence of hard things. It's the presence of something steady in the middle of them. And that starts you ⁓ fixing your attention on what is true. Steph 2: So the peace that God promises isn't the absence of hard things, it's the presence of something steady in the middle of them and that starts you fixing your attention on what is true. And just remember that's good news that you have the ability to redirect those thoughts. So ⁓ over time those small shifts begin to create the life that feels more grounded, more peaceful and more aligned. And I don't care who you are, that sounds like something I want to sign up for. Nicole Mic: Remember, that's good news that you have the ability to redirect those thoughts. Over time, those small shifts begin to create the life that feels more grounded, more peaceful. Steph 2: episode next week we're gonna take this even deeper as we talk about prayer. Learning to bring your real life to God because once our focus begins to shift that next step is learning how to actually bring everything you're carrying to Him and I think you're gonna be surprised because prayer has a lot of different ways to it as well just like worship is not just about church prayer is not just about silently praying either. So we'll more on that next week. Bye.