Distractions

A seed planted in shallow earth will germinate and grow faster than a seed planted in deep soil because it has nowhere to grow but up.  However, the seed in deep soil will put all of its energy toward developing the roots first.  The plant in shallow soil will look like it is far ahead of the other seed for a while, but that will not last. 
It soon withers and dies, while the seed with roots grows strong and
brings forth fruit.

Notice that afflictions, persecutions, and tribulations are instruments of the devil used to stop God’s Word from bearing fruit in our lives.  They are not good things that God brings our way to improve us.  They are instruments of Satan to take our attention off of God’s Word, thereby stopping the Word from taking root in us.  It’s like the
runner who spends all of his time in the grandstands arguing with the
hecklers over the way he’s running the race.  He may win an argument,
but he will lose the race.

Too much attention on visible growth will cause us to become impatient and not take the time to become firmly established in the truths of God’s Word.  This will always result in fruitlessness.  We must not let anything distract us from meditating on God’s Word day and night; for only then will we make our way prosperous and have
good success (Josh. 1:8).  By consistently putting God’s Word first in
every area of our life, we will let that Word become so rooted in us that nothing can remove it.