Convergent focus happens when we zoom in on a single problem or outcome and give it our full attention. In moments of stress, this focus narrows even further. The analytical mind takes over, trying to force solutions and predict outcomes that are beyond our control. But the more we cling to this kind of thinking, the more we fall into frustration, anxiety, and fear.

When our focus is locked on the problem, we lose sight of God’s limitless ability and miss what He is speaking to us. Our Reticular Activating System (RAS), the brain’s filtering system, kicks in, amplifying what we’re focused on. If we’re tuned into fear, we’ll find evidence of failure everywhere. If we’re obsessed with control, we’ll notice only what’s lacking and what could go wrong.

We move from a place of divine order (syntropy) into chaos and breakdown (entropy)—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. The body suffers under prolonged stress, the immune system weakens, and our thinking becomes incoherent, like a discordant symphony. Neuroscience confirms what Scripture has always said: prolonged stress drains our energy and leaves us vulnerable to confusion, exhaustion, and despair.

God’s Call to Divergent Focus: Seeing the Unseen

But there is another way. Divergent focus lifts our eyes beyond the immediate and into the limitless reality of God’s kingdom. It is the shift from focusing on what is seen to focusing on what is unseen and eternal (2 Corinthians 4:18).

Jesus continually invited His followers to live in the light and see from God’s perspective, not the world’s:

  • “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”(John 8:12)
  • “While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” (John 12:36)
  • “Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily.” (Isaiah 58:8)

When you turn your focus toward the light of God’s presence, you experience peace, healing, and clarity. Your thinking becomes coherent, like a beautiful symphony. Solutions that once seemed impossible begin to appear because you’re no longer bound by your analytical mind. You step into divine alignment, and your spirit connects with God’s limitless resources.

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Faith invites us to live beyond our natural limitations. It requires us to trust what God has spoken, even when it doesn’t align with what we can see. This is not blind optimism; it’s a choice to align our focus with God’s truth rather than our current circumstances.

“We walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7) This verse isn’t a metaphor; it’s a survival guide for anyone who wants to live with peace, purpose, and clarity. Faith is seeing the reality of God’s kingdom as more real than what’s in front of us.

Think of the story of Joshua and Caleb, who saw the same land the other spies did. The others focused on the giants and fortified cities, convinced they were doomed. Joshua and Caleb, however, focused on God’s promise and the abundance of the land. Their belief tuned their minds to victory and opportunity, while the others’ unbelief locked them into fear. (Numbers 13:25-33)

Faith opens the door to divergent focus, enabling us to see God’s power and provision in every situation, even when the physical evidence seems bleak. Fear focuses on limits; faith focuses on possibilities.

Practical Steps to Shift Your Focus

  1. Recognize the Filter: Ask yourself: Am I seeing this situation through the lens of fear or faith?
  2. Meditate on God’s Promises: Replace anxious thoughts with Scriptures that remind you of God’s power and provision. (Colossians 3:2: “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”)
  3. Visualize the Light: Close your eyes and picture yourself walking in God’s light, just as He has called you to. “Then your light will break forth like the dawn.” (Isaiah 58:8)

When you practice this shift, your mind becomes a place of peace, your thinking clears, and you become sensitive to God’s leading again. No longer bound by physical limitations, you begin to live in the fullness of what God has already provided for you in the Spirit.

Reflection for Readers

  • Are you defining reality by what you see, or by what God has promised?
  • How can you begin training your mind to focus on things above?
  • What specific promises of God can you meditate on today to realign your focus?