Are We Living Only for the Future?

I just came off a grueling week. Parent teacher conferences made for very long days. My voice is hoarse from talking steady for those two evenings plus the full school days. All week my mantra has been that I just need to make it to the weekend. Even more so are my thoughts that if I just make it to spring break next week, I will be okay.

There are so many times in my life when all I can think about is how I am going to get through the day…the week…the month. The truth is – it frequently isn’t any better when I get to the “date” that is supposed to be calmer, better, etc. It’s really no way for any of us to live.

Thinking like this robs us of our today. We lose the magic of the day God has created for us. When we dread the day, it takes us down. It is hard to be upbeat and joyful when all we can think of is just getting by…getting through…etc.

I know, some days are just downright rough and we can’t wait for them to be over. We can’t wait for the day when we feel “normal” again.

Consider how our days can be different when they are God centered and not event or circumstance focused. The Apostle Paul had many less than stellar days – days that he could have just given up and got stuck in the mire of his situation. Instead, he reminds us of the following:

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (Philippians 4:8 ESV)

Where our brain goes, so goes our day. Paul is very clear here that we need to keep our thoughts positive and on godly things. When we do, there is way less room for worry, stress, and trepidation.

Rather than dreading the day or the event or the moment, instead we are asked to center our thinking on what is uplifting. It makes a huge difference. Our brains are powerful tools to use in our wellness. Filling our minds with thoughts of just getting by and through the moment usually leads to further downward trends in our health and wellbeing.

I know that when I am not at my best and someone tells me to “think positive”, I often don’t take that well. My first reaction is that they really don’t understand what is going on with me or who I am or they wouldn’t make such a trite request.

But our Heavenly Father knows us inside and out. That is why He is there, cheering us on and encouraging us to look to all the good He has for our lives.

In the Old Testament, we also have words of encouragement when our days are ones of just getting by. This particular verse gives us strong direction:

“Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually!” (1 Chronicles 16:11 ESV)

Too often we humans want to search for solutions in worldly places that really don’t offer us lasting benefits. The Chronicles verse reminds us that not only should we be looking to the Lord for strength for our circumstances; we are asked to do so continually.

In the past I have been the queen of trying to just get by. When I read these words of Scripture, I realize that’s really not okay. I know I won’t always get it right, but I have hope in the Lord to work through these moments with praise and prayer and fortitude with God having my back.

May you find ways to look to our Lord for the strength you need to face whatever is going on in life right now. Rather than just waiting for some magic future day for everything to be okay, look at what you can do now to make a difference. May you be able to keep a focus on the positive, enriching, meaningful, enlightening, and hopeful – with the power of the Holy Spirit.

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