Some of us have a black belt in worry, a degree in predicting regret, pain, suffering, or disappointment. Never had to work too hard, just naturally good at it. Thinking about what could go wrong, giving it so much thought. But brothers and sisters, worry is keeping you in the future. A future that you don't know anything about. Making up outcomes. When we stay in this place or worry, we think about what could happen, what might happen, at some point, one day… that isn't today. The Lord said “do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things.” Worrying distracts you, imprisons you in the unknown future. And you will miss the NOW. You will miss the moments that are happening all around you and even to you.

Whenever you start to feel worried, take a breath in and exhale out. Then take a good look around you. And I bet you can find something to be thankful for. To see God’s creation, hearing laughter from the kids down the street, a place to lay your head at night, talking to your friend, watching the sunrise or watching the sunset. All these are gifts that we tend to miss out on. And one gift that we can rely on during this time of worry is that the Lord our God, our Heavenly Father has never left during this time. He is there with us. We just have to take His hand as He is reaching out for us and turn away from the distraction and focus on Him. Focus on the blessings surrounding us. (Deuteronomy 31:6-8 & Isaiah 41:13).

When you worry, you are kept in the future, and you right now, is where you are needed. Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. The present is now, God gave you NOW. God gave you a gift, the present.
May we all be reminded of this following verse that in those moments of worry, no matter the circumstance, GOD is in control. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11

Glory be to God forever and ever!