Living in the Present
“Living in the Present”
To live in the “here and now” you must start by identifying your distractions and dealing with them. People spend a considerable portion of their lives trapped between their past mistakes and their future concerns. They live their lives on a mental teeter-totter, without a feeling of balance and security. This unrest develops into insecurities, causing a lack of peace in their spirit and doubt in their decisions.
How do we overcome our past and future to enjoy our present?
Start by looking into the Word of God for spiritual guidance. Then turn it into an everyday practice.
Overcome Your Past: 2 Corinthians 5:17-19 speaks of being a new creature in Christ: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 19 reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Meaning that no matter what mistakes we have made in the past, we have been totally forgiven when we decided to follow Jesus.
God has completely forgiven us. We must have faith that this is true. We must allow ourselves to be forgiven and also forgive ourselves of our past mistakes and decisions. You have to believe that you have been forgiven even if your present situation does not depict it and even if you don’t FEEL like you have been. Soon enough your present situation WILL align with the Word of God.
Matthew 6:14-15 says that if you forgive others when they sin against you, God will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, God will not forgive your sins.
Forgive anyone that you may be holding a grudge against. Forgive them even though they did not ask you for forgiveness, because through your forgiveness you release yourself from the situation and release your hold on the past.
Overcome Your Future: Luke 12:22-32 NIV says, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 25 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? 26 Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? 31 But seek his kingdom and these things will be given to you as well.
Matthew 6:34 NIV says, take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. This passage is referring to those things of tomorrow that concern you today. Why spend your present worrying about tomorrow? Many times we let the details of what we think we ought to be doing distract us from actually just stepping out on faith and doing them. We have to operate in faith.
How does your faith grow?
By moving forward even when you do not fully believe that you can succeed. In doing so, you give God the opportunity to meet you at the point of your need. Philippians 4:19 says God shall supply all your needs.
1 Peter 5:6-7 says to humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God. Casting all your care upon him; for he cares for you.
It says for you to live your life with the understanding and acceptance that God is in control. Allow Him to take care of all the details.
Here is the tricky part. Do not try to rationalize or figure out God’s plan. Isaiah 55:9 says that God’s ways are far more advanced than our ways and God’s thoughts are much more advanced than our thoughts.
We are incapable of working out what comes next. Trying to figure it out only leads to a point of frustration, anxiety and indecisiveness. Instead, make up your mind to trust God to take care of you everyday.
When you hand God the reins, He will reign in your life.
Allow yourself to forgive and be forgiven of everything in your past. Cast all your cares on God by sharing your concerns with Him. Trust God to take care of you today, tomorrow and forever through every situation that may arise.
Psalm 55:22 And trust God to direct your path and lead you to your destiny.
Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path.” Meaning that no matter what may present itself, give God the opportunity to handle it.
You may say, “I need this situation dealt with right now!”
Before making a decision, ask yourself the following questions: What does God’s Word say about that situation? Are you operating in God’s Love? Are you responding with God’s Love? Are you using wisdom? Are you thinking, “What would please God in this situation?”
If your answers line up with God’s Word, then take action. You are operating in God’s Love and He will meet you at your point of need. His grace and mercies are new every day. But if you know deep down that you are acting out of your own desires or to please others, then don’t move forward. You will not have peace in the matter anyway.
Think fast but act slowly.
After resolving your past and your future, you will be free to enjoy each day of your life. Live for today, and leave tomorrow in God’s very capable hands.
