Focus on the NOW...

If you see me day-to-day, you probably would not notice or realize that I struggle with anxiety and worry. Some of it is exasperated by sleep deprivation and hormones (as I have been pregnant or nursing or both for almost 4 years or 3 years and 7 months and 20 days but who is counting…)

Several passages have come into my life lately to draw my attention the fact that God wants me to focus on now, the moment he has in front of me NOW not the what if that might happen later, not the long list of tasks to do ahead or the future that is not promised but the NOW.

Joseph had a tough life. He was sold into slavery, lied about, cheated and even put into jail unfairly but he eventually was very successful. Joseph’s success came from his faith in the Lord to do his divine will but he invested himself fully into doing his part. He understood that some of his situations were out of his control and entrusted God fully to bring good to his life. Joseph couldn’t see how God could work out all that was going on in his life –from his trials to his successes but he worked at the task of the moment and trusted God to the big picture of his life.

After thinking about Joseph and his focus on the present. I picked up the book Jesus Calling only to read this: To find joy in today you must live within its boundaries. I knew what I was doing when I divided time into twenty-four hour segments. I understand human frailty and I know that you can bear the weight of only one day at a time. Do not worry about tomorrow or get stuck in the past. There is abundant life in my presence today. (1)

As women we are often multi-tasking several projects at once and there are times that it is necessary but I encourage you to take time today –even 30 minutes and focus on one thing you enjoy – even if it is work. Notice how much better you feel after spending 30 minutes blowing bubbles with a little one and not looking at Facebook or checking email while you do it. Or is the work product better if you spend 30 minutes doing that one thing instead of doing 4 other things and being on the phone too. Or spend 30 minutes in a calm place seeking God, asking for his guidance, rest at his feet.

LIVE really live within His boundaries of today.

Worry and anxiety can steal your joy but God reminds us to take one day at a time – even one hour. Focus on what is most important in that time that not all that needs to be done going forward.

Matthew 6:33-34 says: But seek you first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Excerpt from Jesus Calling, April 11.