Look Away unto Jesus: A Five-Step Daily Rhythm for Tired Pastors and Ministry Leaders

You love Jesus

you love His church

and you love the work. But your calendar pushes

your inbox accuses

and your inner scorecard won’t turn off. You started by grace and with joy

but somewhere along the way your sanctification began to feel like a solo project. Burnout creeps in

guilt rides shotgun

and the fruit you long to see grows slow. Scripture names the problem plainly: “Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit

are you now being perfected by the flesh?” (Galatians 3:3). The way forward is not more self-scrutiny; it is a different gaze. “Looking to Jesus

the founder and perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2).

Pastor

small-group leader

counselor—this is a playbook

not for another layer of performance

but for a lighter yoke. The thesis is simple: growth and rest come as you look away unto Jesus in real time. When your attention lives on Christ instead of your scorecard

your mind grows calmer

your choices become Spirit-led

and fruit steadies over time. Ignore this

and distractions and discouragement will set your pace.

Why looking away works

• Beholding

then becoming: “We all

with unveiled face

beholding the glory of the Lord

are being transformed” (2 Corinthians 3:18). Transformation is Spirit-enabled and Christ-focused; self-obsession stalls it.

• Union with Christ

not self-improvement: “For you have died

and your life is hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:1–3). Your identity is secure; sanctification flows from who you already are in Him.

• Abiding

not striving: “Apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). Abide in Christ to bear much fruit; performance-driven living withers the branch.

• Rest

not relentless evaluation: “Come to me… and I will give you rest… my yoke is easy” (Matthew 11:28–30). Jesus offers a yoke tailored to your shoulders.

• No condemnation: “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). Shame cannot shepherd you into holiness; grace can (Hebrews 13:9).

A five-step daily rhythm to look away unto Jesus This rhythm is not a merit system. It’s a set of means of grace that places your attention where Scripture says life and peace reside (Romans 8:5–6). Shape these practices to your context—sermon prep days

hospital visits

counseling sessions

staff meetings—and keep them relational

not mechanical.

1. Scripture-first gaze (Word before world) Start the day by aiming your eyes. Before you open email or social media

open the Word and fix your attention on Christ.

• Anchor verses to pray and ponder: Hebrews 12:2; Colossians 3:1–3; Psalm 27:4; Psalm 16:8; 2 Corinthians 4:18.
• Quiet time template (10–15 minutes):
  1. Call to gaze (1 minute): “Lord

one thing I ask: to gaze upon your beauty” (Psalm 27:4). Breathe slowly and say

“I set You before me” (Psalm 16:8). 2. Scripture reading (5–7 minutes): Read a short passage with a Christ-centered lens. Ask: What does this reveal about Jesus—His person

promises

and work? Where is He seated? (Hebrews 12:2; Colossians 3:1) 3. Beholding prompts (2 minutes): - Jesus

what about You am I meant to admire here? - What promise must I trust today? (2 Peter 1:3–4) 4. Faith response (2–3 minutes): “This is the work of God

that you believe in him whom he has sent” (John 6:29). Speak faith out loud: “Lord Jesus

You are the vine; I am a branch. Apart from You I can do nothing. I trust You for today.”

• Pro tip for pastors: Let your sermon prep serve your soul first. Before crafting outlines

take one minute to “consider Jesus” (Hebrews 3:1) and savor Him personally.

2. Repent-and-believe prayer (all day

especially when convicted or anxious) Martin Luther said

“When our Lord and Master Jesus Christ said

‘Repent

’ he willed the entire life of believers to be one of repentance.” The Bible agrees: “As you received Christ Jesus the Lord

so walk in him” (Colossians 2:6)—by repentance and faith

not by perfecting yourself.

• A 30-second gospel turn:
  • Confess: “Lord

I confess my self-reliance and fear in this meeting.”

• Believe: “Thank You that there is no condemnation in You (Romans 8:1). You are gentle and lowly; I find rest in You (Matthew 11:28–30).”
• Ask: “Grant me grace and the Spirit’s fruit—love

peace

patience—right now” (Galatians 5:22–23; Hebrews 4:16).

• Mortification by faith: John Owen counseled

“Set faith at work on Christ for the killing of thy sin.” Don’t stare at your sin; look to your Savior and act in His strength (Galatians 2:20).

3. Micro attention resets at transitions (if-then plans) Between tasks is where you lose or regain your gaze. Scripture calls this “acknowledging Him in all your ways” (Proverbs 3:5–6). Build small

repeatable cues that re-center you on Christ. Research calls this “implementation intentions”—if-then plans that boost follow-through—and shows that brief micro-breaks renew self-regulation.

• Three practical resets (5–10 seconds each):
  • If I open my email

then I whisper Hebrews 12:2: “Looking to Jesus.” One slow breath: “Lord

You lead; I follow.”

• If I walk into a counseling session

then I pray Proverbs 3:5–6 and “Be still

and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).

• If I shift from sermon prep to family time

then I set my mind on things above (Colossians 3:2) and thank God for the gift of home.

• Breath prayer to calm the body and refocus the heart: Inhale for 4–5 seconds

“The Lord is my shepherd”; exhale for 4–5 seconds

“I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1). Slow

paced breathing helps settle the body’s stress while your mind returns to Christ (Isaiah 26:3).

• Watchfulness: “Continue steadfastly in prayer

being watchful in it with thanksgiving” (Colossians 4:2). These tiny resets cultivate that watchfulness.

4. Embodied reminders (wear

post

sing) God gave Israel physical cues—tassels

doorposts

frontlets—not as superstition but as attention keepers (Deuteronomy 6:6–9; Numbers 15:39). Use simple

embodied cues that bend your senses toward Christ.

• Place Scripture where your eyes go: lock screen with Hebrews 12:2; a card on your desk with Colossians 3:1–3.
• Wear a gentle nudge: a bracelet or ring you touch when you pray “Jesus

I look to You.”

• Posture matters: kneel for 60 seconds before major decisions (Romans 12:1–2). Let your body preach the gospel to your heart.
• Sing your way back: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly… singing psalms

hymns

and spiritual songs” (Colossians 3:16). Keep a short playlist that recenters you on union with Christ and His promises.

5. Evening reframe in the gospel (end the day in Christ

not in your head) End where you began: with Jesus. Don’t surrender the night to rumination. The psalmist “meditated on [God] in the watches of the night” (Psalm 63:6) and learned to be still (Psalm 4:4). Close the day with a quiet

honest reframe.

• A five-minute examen of grace:
  1. Remember His mercies: “Your mercies are new every morning” (Lamentations 3:22–23). Thank Him for two specific gifts from today.
  2. Review with Jesus: Where did I look to Christ today? Where did I stare at myself? Name both without drama.
  3. Repent and rest: Confess missteps; receive Romans 8:1. Jesus’ blood speaks a better word than your inner critic.
  4. Release and request: Place tomorrow’s burdens at the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16). Ask for the Spirit’s leading (Galatians 5:16).
  5. Rejoice: “Those who look to him are radiant” (Psalm 34:5). End with a short praise.

Quiet time templates you can use this week

• The 5x3 Gaze Plan (15 minutes)
  • 5 minutes Scripture: Read Hebrews 12:1–3 slowly. Circle verbs about Jesus (endured

despising

seated).

• 5 minutes Prayer: Confess

Believe

Ask (C-B-A) as above.

• 5 minutes Planning with Jesus: List three decisions you’ll make today; write next to each

“Abide in Christ” (John 15:5) and a promise to trust.

• The Colossians 3 Reset (7 minutes at lunch)
  • Read Colossians 3:1–3 out loud.
  • Two breaths with Psalm 23:1.
  • Pray: “Father

I set my mind on things above. Hidden in Christ

I choose love and peace in this next meeting.”

Implementation intentions for leaders

• When I park at the church

I pray: “I have set the LORD always before me” (Psalm 16:8).

• When I open my sermon document

I ask: “Spirit

help me behold the Lord’s glory” (2 Corinthians 3:18).

• When my child calls “Dad/Mom

” I say in my heart: “Whatever I do

in word or deed

I do in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Colossians 3:17).

Guardrails to keep this from becoming a new scorecard

• Means of grace

not marks of worth: The Word

prayer

and fellowship (Acts 2:42) are how God feeds faith; they don’t earn favor. Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone; good works are fruit

not the basis.

• Grace strengthens

not rituals (Hebrews 13:9): If you miss a reset

you are not condemned. Simply look again to Jesus.

• Self-forgetfulness is the goal: As the gospel settles your identity

you can serve without constant self-evaluation—free to love people in front of you.

What you gain

what you lose

• Apply this rhythm

and you’ll likely experience: a calmer mind guarded by Christ’s peace (Philippians 4:6–7; Isaiah 26:3)

more Spirit-led choices (Galatians 5:16)

and steady fruit (Galatians 5:22–23). You’ll find yourself abiding in Christ through the day rather than visiting Him in the morning.

• Ignore this

and the world’s metrics will disciple your attention. Distraction and discouragement will set your pace; guilt and anxiety will keep steering your decisions. You may begin in the Spirit but feel pressured to finish in the flesh.

A word for weary shepherds “Faith is the gaze of a soul upon a saving God” (A.W. Tozer). Pastor

small-group leader

counselor: your Savior is not asking you to build your own holiness. He calls you to behold Him

believe Him

and walk by His Spirit. “Therefore

holy brothers

you who share in a heavenly calling

consider Jesus” (Hebrews 3:1). Set Him before you and keep looking until your face shines. Walk by faith

not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). Seek first His kingdom (Matthew 6:33). And as you look away unto Jesus

expect Him to do what only He can—steady your heart

shape your choices

and bear much fruit.

A final prayer to carry into your week Lord Jesus Christ

founder and perfecter of my faith

I look away from myself and look to You. You endured the cross and now sit enthroned. I have died

and my life is hidden with You in God. Teach me to abide

to repent and believe

to reset my attention in every transition. Let Your word dwell richly in me

and by Your Spirit bear in me the fruit I cannot produce. Keep me in perfect peace as my mind is stayed on You. Amen.