Don’t Let the Good Moments Pass You By: 3 Practices for Living in the Present 🧭

⏳ The Gift of the Now: Finding the Sacred in the Mundane ✨

The greatest challenge of modern life is often not managing tragedy, but simply being present. We are so accustomed to planning or worrying that we miss the “gift that is the present moment”.

Living in the present moment is not just a mindfulness technique; it is a spiritual discipline rooted in trust in God.

“This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” — [Psalm 118:24 (KJV)]

How do you stop letting the good moments pass you by? By anchoring your faith, mind, and senses to the here and now.

1. Release the Future (The Matthew 6:34 Principle) 🕊️

Practice: The “Daily Bread” Focus

• The Concept: Jesus directly addressed anxiety about the future, instructing us: “Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself”. Living in the future produces anxiety, worry, and fear.
• The Method: Recognize that your desire to control future outcomes often steals your present joy. Instead, trust that God will provide the grace, courage, and love sufficient for each day.
• The Result: You stop trying to outrun God. You gain the spiritual permission to focus on the immediate blessings God has provided for this hour.

2. Cultivate the Savoring Heart (The Gratitude Audit) 🙏

Practice: Savoring with the Senses

• The Concept: Savoring is the practice of paying more attention to, and appreciating, the positive things in our lives for as long as possible. This practice cultivates gratitude.
• The Method: When you experience something good (a beautiful sky, a kind word, the taste of morning coffee), pause and pay attention. Use all your senses to fully experience the moment and absorb the good feelings.
• The Result: You actively imprint the good moment in your mind (taking a “mental photograph”). This strengthens your spirit and helps you balance the negative things you must endure.

3. Seek God’s Presence (The Philippians 4:6 Anchor) ⚓

Practice: Prayer as Presence

• The Concept: We find our true connection to God only in the present moment. God is not distant; He is “right here, present with us”.
• The Method: When anxiety or fear arises, obey the instruction of Paul: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God”.
• The Result: When you present your concerns to God with a grateful heart, the peace of God guards your heart and mind. You are reminded that the spiritual life can only be lived in the sacred moment of God’s presence.

Conclusion: Living Fully Alive 🌟

Don’t let the good moments pass you by.

By releasing the anxieties of the future and anchoring yourself in the gratitude of the present, you transform your life from a hurried scramble into a series of intentional moments lived fully “to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).

Reflection: What is one thing you can pause and savor right now to acknowledge God’s goodness?

For more insight on trusting God with your future, you can watch this video: Trusting God When Life is Uncertain.