This day; this moment, is all you’ve got. It’s the only thing you can have control over. Yesterday with all its mistakes, disappointments and sorrows is gone forever. Even its happy moments and triumphs have disappeared. Yes, the pain and the elation live on in your memory. But, there is absolutely nothing you can do to alter any of it.

Tomorrow is yet to come. It is very important to hold a dream in your heart and work towards it with all your mind and soul. However, what are you doing right now? Are you fretting about the past, allowing past hurts to control what you’re doing today? Today is a new day! It’s fresh and clean, like the first crocus springing up through the snow! You’re singing and smiling ... then you’re out the door. A motorist cuts you off, the traffic light is way too long, the subway door bangs in your face as you’re ready to jump on, your boss who’s having a bad day dumps on you... on and on it goes.

Suddenly you’re back in “yesterday” again! You remember that you’re short-tempered and have little patience. The devil whispers in your ear that you’re inadequate, that if you had not spent that little extra time with the Lord you would have made the subway in time... and on it goes. That is the time to quickly take stock of your situation – before you entertain those kind of thoughts! Tell your mind to focus on the fact that Jesus made you His heir. You are now, this very moment, seated in heavenly places. He has told you that He is your peace, that He loves you, that you’re not inadequate and that when you asked Him for forgiveness, whatever the devil is trying to bring back to your remembrance has been cast in the sea of forgetfulness by Him.

So, if you have been forgiven and God has no memory of it, then no devil in hell has any right to remind you of your past failures! Therefore, if anyone refers to your unpleasant past, just tell yourself: that’s not hurting anymore. It’s gone! Now direct your thoughts immediately to something nice – even if it hurts momentarily! Today is your gift. Live it as if it is your very last day – after all we never know when the Lord calls us home. Enjoy it with peace, joy and being a blessing to others.

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength.” (Isa. 26:3-4). Yes, you know – that’s the bottom line, right? In verse 20, the Lord gives you a personal invitation: “Come, my people, enter thou into my chambers, and shut the doors about thee; hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast.”

Wow! Does He have a Word for every situation, or what?! A momentary pause may be all you need in any hurtful situation. Create a sudden need, if you have to. The Lord is even in the bathroom! If that can be used as an excuse to take some quick time out in a busy situation, like in the office, then do so and go spend a moment with the Lord and set your mind on Him, shutting out everything else! Today is all you’ve got! Go and enjoy it!

Ann Stewart is author of With Wings as Eagles. This autobiographical "how-to" of how trauma was turned into triumph, can be applied to Your situation. Ann's passion is to share these biblical principles to effect total victory in your life.

Ann Stewart
http://www.lifealteringwords.com