One Day At A Time

I know...it can be hard to take one day at a time! This is something that I struggle with a lot too. However, God is teaching me and helping me see the importance of taking one day at a time. My mind will want to race days ahead of where I am now. Then, God tells me, "No, just focus on the now. Don't worry about tomorrow." You know how you get notifications on your phone about messages you have? Well, I get notifications a lot from God telling me to focus on the now and take one day at a time! Throughout the day, we have to focus on that day we're living in and that day only. I know it's very tempting to think ahead, but we have to be careful. Now, there is nothing wrong with planning ahead for things such as meals for the week, lesson plans to teach and steps in your college or career. These are great to do! But, when what hasn't even happened yet becomes bigger in our mind than the present moment, that's when there is a problem. When we're living in the next day, week or month in our mind, today doesn't get our attention. So many times I've missed something said in conversation or missed sharing with someone else because my mind was way ahead of where it should have been. I'm learning three keys for taking one day at a time: prayer, discipline and determination. When I begin my day, I start with prayer and have to continue it throughout my day. I ask God to help me do my best and do what I can in that day. I'm constantly asking God to keep my mind on what I'm doing that day. I have to discipline my thoughts to think on the present and not wander off. I have to stay determined to live in the moment and be all there in that moment. Writing a to-do list is a great idea to stay on track for each day. I love my planners and agendas! A to-do list will help us stay focused on just what needs to be done that day. Make sure to include on your list only what needs to be done that day. Now, I have a warning about to-do lists: they are subject to change! God has a way of changing our to-do list when He wants to. I have experienced this and felt frustrated and disappointed and think why is this happening. But God sends me another notification letting me know He's got it and it has happened for a reason. We also need to watch out for anyone or anything that will get us off track of today's course and get us worrying. The Bible says in Matthew 6:34, "Therefore don't worry about tomorrow because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Consumed with tomorrow before it gets here will have us worn out, worried, frustrated, overthinking and stressed out. It's not worth it. Trust me, I've experienced all of these before because of not taking one day at a time. So, let's make focusing on one day at a time our goal. It allows us to use our present moments wisely, speak and talk to people we may have missed otherwise, be thankful for who and what God has given us, laugh, smile, relax or just get fresh air. I constantly tell myself to take a deep breath because it will be okay. I want to encourage you to take a deep breath because it will be okay. One day at a time is the way to go. One day at a time will get us just where we need to be.

"Don't worry about tomorrow- God is already there." -Our Daily Bread