Recently, I picked up my daughter after work and headed home for one of those rare evenings where it was just the two of us. I had been looking forward to it all day, but something got in the way.
My mind.
An introvert, I spend way more time in my mind than I should. I even have a tick. My lips twitch as I mentally “talk to myself”.
I struggle on a daily basis to just enjoy the present moment. If I am not dwelling on past mistakes, then I am caught worrying about the future events that have a 0.00001% chance of ever transpiring.
Sometimes past memories fuel the anxiety led future conversations I am preping. 🤦♀️
The Bible is full of reminders to let go of the past:
Isaiah 43:18 reads, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.”
Philippians 3:13-14 reads, “Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.”
The Bible is also full of great advice to not worry about the future:
Matthew 6:27 reads, “Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?”
Matthew 6:34 reads, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
A few months ago, while attending a training on overcoming trauma, I learned about grounding techniques. Now, when I find myself drifting away from the present, I take five deep breaths and force myself to focus on the five senses as I inhale.
Going back to the evening with my daughter. We were in the swimming pool. As my mind raced through thoughts about changes in the future, my daughter was calling my name. I focused on the sound of her voice. I reached out and touched her hand. I smelled the fresh air. I looked into her big blue eyes. I tasted the water on my lips from the splash she had made trying to get my attention. I was grounded again to the present.
Dwelling in the past won’t change it. Worrying about the future won’t stop it. Both steal the gift of the present moment and detract from faith in God’s forgiveness and promise to provide for those who seek his kingdom and righteousness (Matthew 6:33).