Have you ever considered how much time you spend in the present moment?  Who can say that they never spend time reminiscing on the past or longing for the future?

It is beneficial to be grateful for the good things that has happened in the past.  It is a wonderful way to stay in tune with the fact that God has blessed you and answered prayers throughout your life. 

Yet, many times, it is not the good and positive things that we find ourselves dwelling on from the past.  Instead, it is the disappointments and upsetting things that continue to replay in our minds. 

This is a trick of the enemy.  We go through the same hurts all over again, remembering those stinging words or events that brought us to a low point in our spirits, as if it happened on this very present day.  As far as our mind and body is concerned, it is happening all over again.  Why do we torture ourselves so often?  Satan may bring negative thoughts and past events to our minds, but we have the power to DECIDE what to focus our attention on. 

According to 2 Corinthians 10:5 we have the ability and authority as God’s children to be “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.”  Yet, we find that these haunting thoughts are constantly bringing us into captivity.

This is because when we are caught up in the negative events of the past, we lose momentum in the present.  They keep us from being fruitful, productive, and from reaching our full potential.   These thoughts are stifling and paralyzing.  This is just what the enemy wants. 

It is also beneficial to set goals for the future.  After all, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” Prov. 29:18a.   In addition, Psalms 37:5 says, “Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.”  Goal setting for the future is a very wise and healthy practice. 

However, to mentally dwell solely on future accomplishments and plans can cause discontentment for the present.  This can become downright depressing when the time has passed, and that goal has not yet been reached.  In some cases, some goals may not even be in sight.  This can also become disheartening and can lead to despair, if not recognized and put in check. 

We never know what we are going to be facing down the road and we don’t know how our circumstances and situation may change.  All we know for sure is that they CAN and they WILL change over time.  Therefore, the only thing that we should dwell on is our relationship with God and constantly being in tune with him.  The truth is, God is only accessible to us in the PRESENT. 

He is the “I AM,” not the “I WAS” or “I WILL BE.”  He joins us in the PRESENT to impact our future.  If we are caught up too much in the future, we are missing out on the opportunity to partner with the Lord here in the PRESENT to impact the future for his glory and honor.  If we are not moving and operating in the PRESENT, we are not maximizing our potential. 

In fact, we are stagnated; and, whether we like it or not, life is still happening all around us and to us, but we are not actively participating in it in the best way.  When we realize the power of NOW, we will begin to recognize the PRESENT as a GIFT.  It is the only time that we can truly make a difference in our lives and the lives of others.  The impact of the difference that we can make has the potential to last well beyond our own lifetime.  Each day that we participate with God maximizes our capability.

We must recognize when Satan is trying to steal our joy.  His goal is to discourage and paralyze us today.  He knows that we have the potential to make a real difference and he would like for us to just sit on it.  He doesn’t care what gets us off course, so long as we are off the right path. 

One of the main ways that he attacks our momentum is in the recesses of our minds.  Dwelling too much on the past or the future can become a dangerously crippling loop.  How easy it is to be sucked in!  With the power of the Holy Spirit, we must actively guard against this internal attack. 

Our thoughts are powerful and they influence both our beliefs and our behavior.  This can go either direction, negative or positive.  We’ve got to keep our minds in tune to the right frequency, so that we can be most effective TODAY.  Make it a great one!