Focus Forward

October 12, 2025

When life feels too narrow, it's time to clear mental ground through renewed thinking.

Today, let's explore how to clear the ground in our minds and move forward with God's promises. When life feels too narrow or challenges seem overwhelming, it's time to take action and shift our focus from fear to faith.

Clearing Your Mental Ground

In Joshua 17, we read a powerful instruction:

"If you are a numerous people, go up by yourself to the forest and clear the ground." Joshua 17:15

This wasn't just about physical land, it's a profound spiritual principle for our lives today.

When God's promises seem distant or your path feels restricted, it's time to clear the mental ground that's holding you back. Just as the people were instructed to clear the forest to make room for growth, we must clear away limiting thoughts, doubts, and fears that prevent us from embracing God's promises.

If you think your life is too narrow, it's time to clear some ground.

This clearing begins in your mind, in your imagination. How you perceive challenges determines whether you'll overcome them. The battle is won or lost in your thinking before it ever manifests in reality.

Facing Your Iron Chariots

When Joshua instructed the people to clear the ground, they immediately responded with fear:

"The hill country is not enough for us, yet all the Canaanites who dwell in the plain have chariots of iron" (Joshua 17:16).

Sound familiar? The moment God shows you a promise, the enemy presents "iron chariots", seemingly insurmountable obstacles designed to intimidate you. These chariots represent whatever threatens to overwhelm you: financial problems, health issues, relationship struggles, or career setbacks.

The question isn't whether you'll face these challenges, but how you'll respond to them. Will you focus on the iron chariots or on God's promises?

Choosing Faith Over Fear

Consider the contrast between David and the rest of Israel's army when facing Goliath. Everyone had the same covenant with God, but only David realized the power of this relationship. While others saw an impossible giant, David saw an opportunity to demonstrate God's faithfulness.

The way you see the problem determines whether you'll win or not, even before the battle begins.

When the Israelites saw Goliath, they ran away in fear. David also ran but toward his victory, not away from his challenge. The direction of your movement in difficult times reveals everything about your faith.

Transforming Fear Into Focus

In 2 Chronicles, we find another powerful example. When Jehoshaphat faced a vast army coming against him, his first reaction was fear, a natural human response. But what he did next made all the difference:

"Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face determinedly to seek the Lord." - 2 Chronicles 20:3

Fear itself isn't the problem, it's what you do with that fear that matters. Jehoshaphat used his fear as a signal to change his focus. Instead of dwelling on the threat, he "set his face determinedly" to seek God.

This is like touching something hot, your natural reflex is to pull away. Similarly, when fear touches your heart, it should trigger you to pull away from worry and turn toward God's word and promises.

Standing With The Majority

When you feel surrounded by problems, remember this truth from Psalm 56:3-4:

"When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?" -  Psalm 56:3-4

With God on your side, you're never in the minority. You have the Creator of heaven and earth standing with you. He doesn't just call you a follower, He calls you son, daughter. He's not just God anymore; He's your Father.

Conclusion

Today, clear the ground in your mind. When iron chariots of fear approach, determine to focus on God's promises instead. Like David, run toward your challenges with confidence in God's faithfulness. Like Jehoshaphat, let fear redirect you to seek the Lord determinedly.

Remember, what harm can any challenge bring when God stands with you? You are not alone. You are not weak. You are backed by the ultimate power in the universe, a loving Father who has already secured your victory.

Reflect on This

1. What "iron chariots" are you facing today, and how can you shift your focus from these obstacles to God's promises?

2. In what specific area of your life do you need to "clear ground" mentally to make room for God's promises to manifest?

Prayer

Father, I declare that I am not defined by the challenges around me. I set my face determinedly to seek You above all else. Thank You that with You on my side, no weapon formed against me can prosper. I clear the ground of fear, doubt, and limitation in my mind, making room for Your promises to flourish. I am Your child, walking in authority and victory, seeing obstacles as opportunities to witness Your faithfulness. In Jesus' name, I stand confident and focused on Your word. Amen.

Key Takeaways

• When life feels too narrow, it's time to clear mental ground through renewed thinking.

• How you perceive challenges determines whether you'll overcome them.

• Fear itself isn't the problem, it's a signal to redirect your focus to God.

• Like David, run toward your challenges rather than away from them.

• With God on your side, you're never in the minority, you have the Creator as your Father.

All content on this blog is the property of Henley Samuel Ministries. For permissions or inquiries regarding the use of any material, please contact us at contact@henleysamuel.org.

To dive deeper into this powerful message, watch the full sermon on our YouTube video below.