Where does your mind go when you think about your future? Sometimes we dream of vacation days by the ocean or redoing our living room or what will happen when the children are older. Some future pictures are idyllic while others plunge us into the turbulence of fear. I can say several words to you and one may open up the flood gate--such as economy, cancer, war, flying...we each have an area that ignites fear.
One wonderful thought is that about 99% of the things we fear will never happen. The second is that, as Christians, the Lord knows how to navigate us through scary times and He is equipped to give us all that we need in comfort and hope at just the right time. Maturing as a Christ-followerd means we hoe those skills that aid us in the midst of fear. In 2 Corinthians 10:5, the Lord tells us to take every thought captive and bring it under the authority of Christ. In my mind's eye, I see myself on horseback, winding up my lasso. With precision, I grab that negative scary thought and wrap it in my strong rope and bring it down. It may be wiggling about but my foot is on it. It is no longer racing around my mind--yelling and screaming out horrible things. I can drag it into the Lord's throne room and allow Him to quiet it and replace it with His truth.
The Lord is very matter-of-fact where He says that each day has enough trouble of its own. It is not a verse we decorate and place on our refrigerator--but it's a good reminder. This very day--this moment in time--has enough for us to bear. Running full steam into a future built by our imagination creates more imagined stress. We truly don't know what the future holds. This is true for our families, our health , our work...we simply do not know all that awaits us.
One exercise that helps me break away from "future" thoughts is a command found in Hebrews 12:2. We're commanded to fix our eyes on Jesus. Wow! What a privilege to stare intently at my Savior! What do I see? The one who dies for me--living and powerful--looking back with eyes of love and compassion. He is the Prince of Peace and the giver of truth.
So when you are tempted to walk down a long road marked "the future," remember that you are probably walking down a road that will never exist. God's grace is for this moment--not some dreaded event created in your mind's eye. You will not find God's grace in imagined future events. Why? There is no reality there. So many people live in the future that it seems to become their reality. Stop ignoring the "now"--step into it fully--embrace it.
What do you need in your present circumstances? Our Lord is there--willing and ready to give you whatever you need. BE ENCOURAGED!
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