Yesterday evening while having dinner with friends. one of my friends observed, :”that must have been scary last week when you were in the ER.” My response might surprise some. My response was, “yes it was but that is in the past now. It is not happening now.”
Staying present in the moment is not a new concept. Jesus spoke about it over two thousand years ago when he said in Matthew 6:34:
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Jesus was teaching to focus on today, on the present here and now. Yes we make plans, but we do not live in tomorrow nor do we live in yesterday.
Paul touched on not living in yesterday when he wrote in Philippians 3:13:
But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead
Don’t get me wrong. I struggle as much as anyone with the practice of beating myself up about the past and anxiety about something coming in the future like having to go to the doctor. My response to my friend’s insight surprised me as well. But that fear that was gripping me last Wednesday is not with me anymore. The problem that brought to the ER is not a problem for me today. It is in the past and it can stay there, 🙂
But what would God want us to remember from the past?
1 Chronicles 16:12 says:
Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced,
Remember the things God has done for us. This helps us when we face current difficulties. It helps us to remember how God came through for us.
We leave the negative stuff behind, remember God working in our lives, focus on today, and have hope for tomorrow knowing that Jesus is always with us.
Thank you for reading. God Bless.
Jesusluvsall's Blog 
Such an encouraging message.
Thank you 🙂
Thank you. I need to remember this. There have been many stressful things at every turn lately. Thank you for the encouragement.
Jesus is with you at every turn
Such an inspiring website, I am following your posts now to be inspired more often. God has taken my anxiety and worries away, and improved my quality of life ever since trusting him
I am glad you have experienced the grace of God
Thank you, finding your website was a blessing from God
Staying in the present has not been something I do well, I promised myself to do more this year
Staying in the present has not always been easy for me either
Great advice!! I need this reminder daily!!
I need it too.
Amen. Reflecting on God’s past faithfulness brings strength and comfort to us.
very true little sister 🙂
Amen! This verse from Matthew 6:34 has repeatedly been a light for me.
God’s word is the most wonderful light
Yesterday, Today, and Forever Jesus is the same, ‘I am.’ Always present. Always Emmanuel. Always God with us.
AMEN!!!