What You Focus On Actually Grows Over Time

Can you believe it’s a new month already? There’s something refreshing about turning the calendar page, it feels like a clean slate, a fresh opportunity to do things differently.

And you know what? This feeling is not merely psychological; it is rooted in actual spiritual and practical wisdom. I have learnt something that has completely changed my approach to life: what we focus on grows.

Let Me Tell You Why This Matters

I used to think this was just positive thinking nonsense, but then I started paying attention to how my own life worked. When I spent my days obsessing over problems at work, guess what happened? More problems showed up. When I constantly worried about money, it felt like every expense was a crisis.

But here’s where it gets interesting. When I shifted my focus to solutions instead of problems, creative ideas started flowing. When I began focusing on what I was grateful for instead of what I lacked, I started noticing abundance everywhere.

It’s not magic; it’s how God designed our minds to work.

The Science Behind the Scripture

There’s actually a name for this in psychology: the reticular activating system. Your brain utilises this system to filter information according to your current focus. Ever notice how when you’re thinking about buying a certain car or that latest wig, you suddenly see that exact model or type everywhere? Your brain is highlighting your current focus.

But God knew such a phenomenon long before psychology had a name for it. Look at what Paul wrote:

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things” (Philippians 4:8).

Paul wasn’t giving us a nice sentiment; he was giving us a life strategy. He understood that our thoughts shape our reality.

I’ve Seen This Play Out in Real Life

• In relationships: The couple that focuses on each other’s flaws grows apart. The couple that focuses on appreciation and what they love about each other grows closer. Same relationship, different focus, completely different outcome.

• In business: The entrepreneur who obsesses over what could go wrong stays stuck in planning mode. The entrepreneur who focuses on serving their customers and solving problems builds something meaningful. Same challenges, different focus, different results.

• In personal growth: The person who focuses on their failures and shortcomings stays discouraged. The person who focuses on lessons learnt and progress made keeps moving forward. Same setbacks, different focus, different trajectory.

• In faith: The believer who focuses on their doubts and struggles feels distant from God. The believer who focuses on God’s faithfulness and promises feels His presence powerfully. Same circumstances, different focus, different spiritual experience.

The Beautiful Truth About God’s Design

Here’s what amazes me: God didn’t just tell us what to focus on, He designed our brains to work this way. He created us so that our attention becomes our reality. When we focus on His goodness, we see His goodness everywhere. When we focus on His provision, we notice His provision in ways we missed before.

It’s like He built a feedback loop into creation itself. Focus on fear, and you’ll find more to fear. Focus on faith, and you’ll find more reasons to trust.

Jesus said it this way:

“Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33).

When we focus on God and His ways, everything else aligns.

The Garden of Your Mind

You know what I love about this new month? It’s a perfect time to audit what we’ve been watering with our thoughts. Because our minds are like gardens, whatever we water grows.

Are you watering worry? Don’t be surprised when anxiety blooms.

Are you watering comparison? Don’t be surprised when insecurity takes root.

Are you watering past failures? Don’t be surprised when self-doubt flourishes.

But flip that around: Water gratitude, and contentment grows. Water faith, and peace flourishes. Water vision and possibility expand. Water love, and relationships thrive.

Where Your Attention Goes, Your Life Flows

This month, I’m challenging myself, and maybe you can join me to be intentional about my focus. Because where your attention goes, your energy flows. And where your energy flows, your life grows.

Instead of scrolling through problems on social media first thing in the morning, what if we started with gratitude? Instead of rehearsing what could go wrong in our heads, what if we visualised what we want to build? Instead of focusing on what others have that we don’t, what if we celebrated what God has already given us?

The Practical Side of This Wisdom

• Start your day right: Before you check your phone, before you think about your to-do list, take a moment to focus on something beautiful. Maybe it’s thanking God for a good night’s sleep, maybe it’s appreciating the sunrise, or maybe it’s thinking about someone you love.

• Guard your inputs: The news, social media, even conversations – they’re all feeding your focus. Be selective about what you allow into your mental garden.

• Ask better questions: Instead of “What’s wrong with this situation?” Ask, “What can I learn from this?” Instead of “Why is this happening to me?” Ask, “How can I grow through this?”

• Practice redirection: When you catch your mind drifting toward negativity (and we all do it), gently redirect to something true, noble, right, pure, lovely, or admirable. Make it a habit.

The Promise in the Process

Here’s what I’ve discovered: God honours this principle because He designed it. When we align our focus with His heart and think about what He thinks, our lives start reflecting His goodness.

It’s not about denying reality or pretending problems don’t exist. It’s about choosing to focus on solutions rather than problems, on possibilities rather than limitations, and on God’s faithfulness rather than our fears.

The psalmist understood this:

“I will praise the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips” (Psalm 34:1).

He chose his focus, and that focus shaped his experience.

This Month’s Challenge

So here’s my question for you as we start this new month: What are you watering with your thoughts today? WhWhat is growing in the garden of your mind?

Because whatever it is, that’s what’s going to flourish in your life. If you want different fruit, you need different seeds. If you want different results, you need a different focus.

This month, choose your focus wisely. Focus on God’s goodness, and watch goodness multiply. Focus on growth, and watch yourself evolve. FoFocus on gratitude, and watch abundance appear in ways you never noticed before.

All glory to God for designing us this way, with minds that can choose their focus and hearts that can align with His truth. What a gift that we get to partner with Him in shaping our reality simply by choosing what deserves our attention.

So what will you focus on today?