Identifying The Top 5 Distractions That May Be Delaying Your Destiny
This post is the show notes from my podcast: In Alignment - Ep 01.
Theme: Awareness before action — uncovering what’s pulling you out of alignment with God’s plan.
The devil doesn’t need to destroy you—he just needs to distract you.
Not all distractions look like noise.
Some look like good opportunities.
Some look like busyness.
Some look like comfort.
Have you ever felt like you’re busy but not really progressing toward your purpose? Sometimes it’s not that we’re off track — we’re just distracted.
In this first post on our Distraction Detox Series, we’re uncovering the subtle (and not-so-subtle) distractions that quietly pull you away from your purpose. From emotional overwhelm to busyness and spiritual drift, this conversation will help you see clearly, refocus, and come back into alignment with God.
Anchor scripture:
Hebrews 12:1 NLT – “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.”
Growing up I was extremely shy and timid. It was so bad that I would wish the ground would open and swallow me whole. This shyness and timidity quickly developed into full blown fear. And the fear followed me all through life into adulthood.
I became afraid of everything – fear of people, fear of the future, fear of the unknown, fear of getting in trouble, fear of authority, fear of the opinions of others etc.
I became a very fearful person, always meditating on negative what-ifs. Fear crippled me and made me content with living a mediocre lifestyle. My dream at that time was to finish my graduate program, get a job, raise my family, come back from work, eat, watch television all night, sleep, wake up, and repeat – that was what I thought an accomplished life would be.
The enemy had succeeded in taking hold of my destiny and sat on the throne of my destiny. But right when he was about to hammer in the final nail on the coffin of my destiny, God showed me mercy. I had an encounter with The Word. This encounter changed my life forever and revived my destiny.
After my encounter with the Lord, the Holy spirit, over a 5–6-year period began to teach me about my purpose and the destiny He has called me too. He opened my eyes to all the different ways the enemy had continuously tried to destroy my destiny, and He gave me strategic insight on what to do to overcome them.
The first distraction is fear.
I shared this story with you all today because I know that for many of us who are listening, fear is one of our biggest distractions whether we like to admit it or not.
It is a distraction that is common to all of us.
There is a scripture I’d love to share with you. It’s from Philippians 3:13-14 NLT
“No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.”
WHAT ARE DISTRACTIONS? –
Distraction simply refers to anything that diverts our attention from what is considered important or necessary.
It is also an extreme agitation of the mind or emotions.
In a biblical context, distraction often implies a deviation from spiritual focus and commitment to God.
Synonyms - diversion, interruption, interference, obstruction, hindrance etc.
Destiny derailing distractions, therefore, diversions, interruptions, interferences, obstructions, and hindrances that derails, in other words, steals, kills, and destroys a person’s destiny, stopping them from fulling their God-given purpose.
The only other person who comes to steal, kill, and destroy? SATAN (We see that in John 10:10)
They interfere, obstruct, and hinder us from making significant progress towards our destiny, towards God’s purpose of our lives which is exactly what the enemy wants.
Now, let’s move into identifying the 5 major distractions that some of us may be currently facing in our lives.
The number one destiny derailing distraction as I mentioned above is: Fear
1. Fear (this is the biggest distraction)
FEAR – False Evidence Appearing Real
It is common to all of us, and it is the one that opens the door for other negative forces to come into our lives.
It’s the one the devil sends ahead to prepare the way for the others such as anxiety, stress, panic attacks to come in.
It literally crippled me, kept me in standstill mode.
It made me to be ok with living a mediocre lifestyle – my dream was to finish my master’s program, get a job, go to work, come home, eat, watch tv till late, sleep, wake up and repeat.
It led to a series of negative things that happened in my life.
It tried to silence my voice because it knew the destiny I carry before I even came to the revelation of it myself.
But remember, God has not given us a spirit of fear; therefore, it is from the enemy.
DESTINY DERAILING DISTRACTIONS
2. Well-Meaning people and loved ones
No, I’m not saying your family members and friends are the enemy, what I’m simply saying is sometimes they may not understand the assignment God gave you.
God didn’t call a board room meeting with you and them to discuss the vision so how do you expect them to get it. Especially when it’s a seemingly impossible task.
When God asked you to start that business, they weren’t there. When He gave you the strategy and how to build the assignment, they weren’t there. When He gave you the dream at night of what He wants you to do, they weren’t there. When He whispered it to your heart in the secret place, they weren’t there.
So, your loved ones mean well because they love you and want the best for you but sometimes that could be the very thing that derails you.
Hence the importance of staying in the Presence of the One who sent you
Staying in communion with Him for when those moments of discouragement from your loved ones come
DESTINY DERAILING DISTRACTIONS
3. Hustling & Personal Agendas or Ambitions (turned Idols)
The world says hustling and grinding is the only way to be successful.
But remember who the prince of this world is according to scriptures.
God expects us to work from a place of rest not toiling, hustling, or grinding.
He is calling us to go from hustling to humility (total dependence); from grinding to grace (not by your own might and strength).
Hustling will eventually pull you away from God’s Presence, from your bible study time, and from things that matter the most. Because you become consumed with trying to make things work in your own strength and your own timing. Eventually, to save us from ourselves, God will ask for the dream back when He notices that we are not being good stewards of it, building the dream in alignment to His blueprint.
I read a powerful book called The Dream Giver by Bruce Wilkinson that brought me to my knees in humility and changed how I was building my business and ministry. God used that book to speak to me and transform my mindset. I’d recommend you give that book a read as well, and perhaps, God will speak to you through it.
DESTINY DERAILING DISTRACTIONS
4. Unforgiveness
Ever heard the quote by Marianne Williamson that says “unforgiveness is you drinking poison and expecting the other person to die”? Yes, plainly put, unforgiveness is poison to our mind, spirit, and soul.
I have gone through the journey of forgiveness myself. From forgiving my estranged father, to forgiving a betrayal from a close friend. So, I know a thing or two about unforgiveness and how it eats away at a person’s destiny.
Matthew 6:14-15 NLT says: “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
Mark 11:25-26 also says: "And whenever you stand praying, if you find that you carry something in your heart against another person, release him and forgive him so that your Father in heaven will also release you and forgive you of your faults.”
There was a season of my life when I couldn't afford for my prayers to be blocked or hindered just because I wouldn't forgive. I needed God desperately to hear me, forgive me, and answer my cry for help. But ultimately, I knew that harboring unforgiveness in my heart will hinder my relationship with God. That was the catalyst that led to me forgiving my dad. My father and I reconciled and developed a relationship to the best of our abilities at that time. I was able to financially support him and be a blessing to him, call to check on him which always made him so happy. The best part, I got a father’s blessing from him, not only for me but also my children.
DESTINY DERAILING DISTRACTIONS
5. Your mindset
My mindset was a huge set back
Remember I was entertaining negative thoughts, like what if xyz happens? And the enemy capitalized on it
Remember Job, he said the things I feared has happened to me. Job as he was, was a man gripped by fear. He was always afraid that his children may have messed up or done something wrong, so every morning according to scripture, he would rise up early to go make sacrifices on behalf of his children. After God gave Satan permission to afflict Job, he said in Job 3:25, “What I always feared has happened to me. What I dreaded has come true.”
I had a mediocre mindset
Remember what my dream was? All I wanted to do was finish my master’s program, graduate, get a job…
What thoughts are you entertaining or meditating on?
Whose voices are you listening to?
Proverbs says Iron sharpens iron and 1 Corinthians 15:33 says “Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good character.” What type of people are you surrounding yourself with?
Are you renewing your mind with the Word of God? It has power to transform your mind and thoughts.
Now, I weigh my thoughts against this scripture and I invite you to do the same:
Philippians 4:8 NIV says: “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.”
So, ladies, pay attention to your thoughts. If it doesn’t align with the above scripture, then toss that thought and replace it with one that aligns.
Be intentional with what you allow to dwell in your mind. Whatever doesn’t serve your destiny, let it go. Remember, it is in your power to resist those thoughts – the bible says, resist the enemy and he will flee from you. God has given you and I the capacity and ability to do so.
Bonus:
· Some honorable mentions that we didn’t get to talk about are comparison and competition, gossip, phones, alerts and notifications
And there are also distractions often disguised as “good things.”
Overcommitment (even in ministry)
Comparison on social media
People-pleasing or fear of missing out
Emotional clutter — unresolved issues, self-doubt
Lack of quiet time or focus
Jesus told Martha when she complained about her sister Mary not helping, that she was distracted by service, but Mary has chosen the good thing, which is sitting at the feet of Jesus listening and learning, and it will not be taken away from her. Martha was distracted with what was good but done at the wrong timing.
So, ladies, I want you to ask yourself today: “what’s taking more of your attention than your assignment?”
Now, it’s time for a Distraction Audit
Let’s do a reflective mini-exercise:
Write down 3 things that constantly pull at your focus.
Ask yourself these questions:
Does this bring me peace or pressure?
Is it producing fruit or frustration?
Does it align with the season I’m in right now?
This week, I challenge you to write down your top three distractions and pray over them — asking God to show you which ones you need to let go of.
So, here’s a key takeaway from today’s post:
Awareness is the first step toward realignment. You can’t manage what you won’t acknowledge.
Next week, we’re going to go deeper — I’ll share practical strategies to overcome those distractions and stay in alignment with your destiny.
Thank you for reading today’s post.
If this post spoke to you, share it with a friend who might be battling distractions right now, leave a comment, and make sure to come back here for the second part.
Let’s spread the message of faith-driven purpose and planning together.
Until I see you again in the next post, stay encouraged, stay obedient, and stay in alignment!
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