Take Life As it Comes

Recently after a series of mishaps and an array of difficult circumstances, I began to form a bad mental habit–projecting future outcomes. I began thinking about events or occurrences that could possibly happen, and how I would react or cope in each imagined situation in my mind.

God’s grace is sufficient for each day, but if we are using tomorrow’s grace on today we will end-up anxious, worried, and fearful.

I am convinced that the enemy shows us worst-case scenarios in our minds so that we will take our eyes off Jesus and focus on our larger-than-life circumstances as we perceive them. I believe another tactic of the enemy is to magnify our problems. All of a sudden, issues that we have been dealing with seem like giant mountains before us.

If we take Satan’s “bait” by gazing at our circumstances, or living in the future and all the unknowns we will start to feel overwhelmed, heavy, lethargic, and restless. If you are not sleeping well at night, ask yourself what you have been thinking about lately?

If we take life as it comes, meaning taking life one day at a time, we can experience more peace, rest, and joy.

Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on … Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his life? Matthew 6:25&27

Because of the ill effects of worry, Jesus tells us not to worry. Worry may damage your health, cause the object of your worry to consume your thoughts, disrupt your productivity, and reduce your ability to trust God. There is a difference between worry and genuine concern–worry immobilizes, but concern moves you to action.

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Matthew 6:34

Planning for tomorrow is time well spent. Worrying about tomorrow is time wasted. Worriers are consumed by fear, and find it difficult to trust God.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

What we put into our minds determines what comes out in our words and actions. The Apostle Paul tells us to program our minds with thoughts that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8).

Casting all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7

Carrying your own worries, stresses, and daily struggles by yourself shows that you have not trusted God fully with your life. Letting God have your anxieties calls for action, not passivity. Don’t submit to circumstances, but to the Lord who controls circumstances. Take life as it comes and trust God to take care of your future and all that concerns you.

Relax. Breathe, and Soak in the Presence of the Lord.

What are some helpful tips that you implement when consumed with worry, anxiety, fear, or the cares of this life?