There are many days I worry about my future. I worry about my post-high school life, I worry about money, I worry about marriage, I worry, worry, worry. There are other days I worry about my past. The mistakes I made, my regrets, stupid things I said, what people thought (and think) about me, things I could have done better, choices I’d wish I made, and so on. But there are other days, like today, I realize neither of those are healthy.

I’ve been reading this awesome book with my Mother called Loving God with All Your Mind by Elizabeth George. (I’ll put the link below to where you can buy this awesome book!) In this wonderful book, Elizabeth shares something God revealed to her. According to Philippians 4:8, we must think on things that are true, or real. Another way to look at this is: Don’t think about things that aren’t real or true. Guessing what someone thinks about you, or thinking the what ifs of your future and fearing the worst aren’t true realities, and according to this scripture, we shouldn’t be thinking of such things.

Another reason we shouldn’t meditate on the past or future is it takes away from the now.

We must live in the now. God, who is not bound by time, has called us to the present. We are here, in this exact moment, for a very good reason. In the past we see mistakes, sorrow, and old memories. The past has faded away.
The future only holds uncertainty, and the great unknown, which often causes fear in us. We are in the dark about what lies ahead, and that is frightening.

But what about now? Why are we here? There is work to be done right now. People who need love right now, even if it is your neighbor (1 John 4:7-8, Leviticus 19:18, Matthew 19:19, Mark 12:31, Luke 10:27, Romans 13:8, I could go on!), making someone feel loved is so crucial. We have Good News to give, too! If we are so caught up in the what ifs, could bes, and regrets of yesterday, how can we share about the GREAT news of Jesus Christ?!

For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest. A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to tear down and a time to build up. A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance. A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones. A time to embrace and a time to turn away. A time to search and a time to quit searching. A time to keep and a time to throw away. A time to tear and a time to mend. A time to be quiet and a time to speak. A time to love and a time to hate. A time for war and a time for peace. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Focus on today. Yesterday is gone and you can only prepare for tomorrow via today. Why do we pester God with worries of tomorrow when He is already there, and has already seen it be finished?

“But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years like a day.” 2 Peter 3:8

What can we do about yesterday? There is no changing the past. The only reason to look briefly back is to learn and put those lessons to use today. Let us not think of tomorrow when we have a voice today. Why plan so far in advance? Isn’t His way and thoughts higher and better? (Isaiah 55:9) How and why do we make all these plans when we don’t know the days ahead? Who are we to question God and tell Him our plans and opinions? Why would we even do that? It’s kind of stupid, don’t you think, to insist on our way over a God who knows-all and knows best, more than we could ever know? After all, doesn’t He already know our opinions, since He was the one who formed us in our Mother’s womb? Why do we act like God is in dire need of our advice? Of course, I’m talking to myself probably more than you. Most of this is actually from my own personal journal. I am preaching to myself here, too.

Living in the now does require bravery. It requires strength, as well as incredible faith. We must find our Peace in God and have a firm understanding of who He is. Our ears must be open and listening for His every word, and our feet must be ready to obey His command in the way we should go. Are you willing to take on this challenge and take the first leap with me? There’s no bridge on our journey. No, we’ll be soaring on Eagle’s Wings.

“Your own ears will hear him.
Right behind you a voice will say,
“This is the way you should go,”
whether to the right or to the left.” Isaiah 30:21

You can buy Elizabeth George’s book Loving God with all Your Mind here.