So you have a problem. You find that you’re spending way too much time either dwelling on the past or thinking about the future. You truly want to stop, but you don’t know how; the past and the future are constantly luring you with their voices, and you keep listening to them.
You wonder why you’re constantly restless and why you lack interior peace and joy, but the answer is right before you—literally right before you. It’s called the present moment.
One of the reasons we sometimes miss the gifts that the Lord wants to give to us each day is because we so often fail to live in the present moment. But let’s examine the interior experience of living in the past and the future and see what fruit it bears in our lives.
What happens when we dwell on the past (not good memories, but our negative past)? We feel regret for past actions; we experience resentment (literally “to feel again”) toward a person or persons; we dwell in our hurts or in our failures. Regret, resentment, hurt, and failure. Not exactly a great way to spend our day.
What happens when we live in the future? We experience fear of the unknown or what may be; we worry about how events may turn out; we conjure up scenarios that cause us great anxiety. Fear, worry, and anxiety. Again, not a great way to spend our day.
No wonder why people who dwell on the past and who live in the future fail to experience the peace and joy that the Lord wants to give them in the present moment. The past is gone; the future is not here; and it is simply irrational to spend our mental energy on things that cause us such interior turmoil. Dwelling on the past and living in the future are both evidence of our lack of trust in God: lack of trust in his mercy for our past and lack of trust in his loving care for our future.
So what does Jesus say about all this?
Regarding the past: “Your sins are forgiven” (Luke 7:48 and many other instances!).
Regarding the future: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or your body, what you will wear… Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your life-span? … If God so clothes the grass of the field, which grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow, will he not much more provide for you, O you of little faith… But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides. Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself” (see Matthew 6:25-34).
God lives in the eternal present. When the Lord revealed Himself and His name to Moses, He said, “I Am Who Am” (Exodus 3:14). The Lord did not say, “I was who was” or “I will be who will be.” He simply said, “I Am.” We need to learn to dwell with the Lord where He is, in the present.
What are the benefits of living in the present moment? The greatest benefit is the peace that it brings. No regrets, no worries, just dwelling in the present moment with “I Am.” Also, we experience more gratitude, because we become acutely aware of God’s presence and how He is acting in our lives each day. Furthermore, living in the present helps us to be fully present to the people that we encounter each day and to see Christ in them. Lastly, living in the present actually benefits our future because by staying focused on the most important aspects of our lives we will be well prepared for whatever the future brings us.
How do we acquire the habit of living in the present moment? We certainly are not going to be perfect; but we can at least train ourselves to return to the present moment when we find ourselves listening to the voices of the past and the future. The best way to develop the habit of living in the present moment is to spend at least 10 to 15 minutes daily in quiet prayer, dwelling with the Lord who lives in the eternal present. After all, it is the Lord who said, “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:11). If we can simply learn to be still in prayer each day, that stillness will eventually begin to permeate the other hours of our day.
So, when you’re tempted to dwell on your past sins, simply pray, “Thank you for forgiving me, Lord.” (If you know you need to confess your sins, simply do it and let it go. God does not hold grudges).
When you’re tempted to live in the future, simply pray, “Jesus, I trust in You,” and return to the gift of the present.
Thank you so much for this…I REALLY needed to hear this message today. I have been spending far too much time fearing the future.
In Her Heart,
Jenny
Thanks Jenny! I’m glad this post was helpful. We can all tend to fear the future. The key is to just keep coming back to the present.
Peace!
Great title, great image, great post! Guilty as charged, though, more often than I’d like to admit. However, I’d like to think I’m getting better everyday
Belinda,
I, too, am guilty. I find the greatest challenge is to live what I write about! The key, as you wrote, is to get better everyday…and not to get discouraged when we fail.
Peace!
Thanks, it is really true and I have applied it during this past days it really works, be still and keep on praying when troubles come and God will do the rest. Now my sister decided to continue and I am praying that she will find a better employer.
Dear Fr. Najim;
You will never know what reading this article has done for me today! God does, indeed work in the most mysterious of ways; for He always knows what lies in our hearts. Recently I have been going through some “issues” which have caused me to look on my past with much regret, and towards the future with some “fear.” Quite accidently, I came upon reading your article just now. In my heart of hearts, I believe that our Lord led me to reading this, and in His infinite wisdom used you to help me. How Great He is! Thank you, and my God continue to bless you always.
Peace,
Pamela
@Josepha: I’m glad you found the post helpful. It’s always smart to try to apply what we read.
@Pamela: The Lord truly does lead us to the answers that we need…if we are attentive to His voice. I’m so glad that this post was helpful. Peace!
Hi Fr,
for Bishop elections when the time is right, Fr. Najim gets my vote, not that I am thinking in the future, but…..
Another powerful topic which is such a common problem that we all struggle with today, you have given us; through the Grace of God so much to reflect on. Father I have to say, when our Holy Father sends out the next ballot to us
Thank you for saying Yes to your vocation,
Bill
Lovely as always, Father Michael.
This is something I find exceedingly tough, even as I parent two young children who truly need me to be in the present. Those moments when I find myself really able to embrace the ‘right now’ and forget all else are some of the happiest times.
@Bill: thanks for your prayerful support of the priesthood!
@Kelly: I think it’s tough for all of us to live in the present, but with God’s grace we can keep trying. Thanks for reading…and keep striving!
Fr. Michael, Thank you for your wonderful post on ‘Living in the Present”! This is an area I need a great deal of emotional discipline for. I can do this well when I begin my day by centering on God Himself to know who really is in charge.
Coach Theresa Ip Froehlich
Theresa,
Thanks so much for reading. I think living in the present moment is something we all need spiritual discipline to do. One of the best ways to do this is, as you said, by centering ourselves in the Lord.
Peace!
Thanks, Father Najim, for this wonderfully wise post and many thanks to Gail Hyatt for pointing me to you.
Grace and peace to you!
Tara
Tara,
Thanks for reading, and I’m glad you enjoyed the post. I look forward to checking out your blog.
Peace!