How to Be Blessed Living One Day at a Time
How proficient are you at staying focused and living one day at a time?
I have to admit it depends on the day. It’s a goal I’m working towards.
Yes, I’ve read Jesus’ words thousands of times…
“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”
Matthew 6:34
Although we know we’re sacrificing our peace, joy, contentment, and more when we replay the past or worry about the future, kicking painful memories and anxious thoughts to the curb is not easy.
The enemy is determined to rob us of our daily peace in Christ Jesus. He lies relentlessly, filling us with regret and apprehension.
I believe with God’s help, we can do better. I believe He will help me do better.
So, I’ve made a list:
Practices that will Help You (and Me)
Live One Day at a Time
Today, I will:
♥ Choose peace and joy.
Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
Philippians 4:8
I believe that with the Lord’s help, we can focus on God’s beautiful blessings more than we dwell on personal or worldly problems.
♥ Trust God’s plans.
I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Jeremiah 29:11
God’s plans are for our good, even on difficult days. You and I can trust that He is good even when the future seems uncertain. Through Jesus, our eternal future is secure.
♥ Repent and trust God’s forgiveness.
For His unfailing love toward those who fear Him
Psalm 103:11–12
is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.
He has removed our sins as far from us
as the east is from the west.
If God has removed our sins in Jesus, they are gone. We don’t have to relive or replay them. He doesn’t, and we shouldn’t either.
♥ Forgive others.
Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.
Colossians 3:13
Holding on to bitterness only hurts our hearts and robs us of the ability to enjoy the moment we’re in.
♥ Accept the unexpected without worrying.
And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.
Romans 8:38
Whatever a day brings, we can trust God’s promise to cover us with His love or give us what we need to endure.
♥. Count my blessings.
Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.
James 1:17
God is so very gracious and good. We have Jesus, and all we need to live today. We have the hope of eternity. So, anything we fret about is a burden we don’t have to carry alone…
Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28
Let’s pray…
A Prayer to Live One Day At A Time
Heavenly Father, thank you for the blessing of this day. It is a day to thank you again for the gift of Jesus and faith that makes it possible for me to rest secure in Your love. It is a day to thank and praise You and share Your love in ways that glorify You.
Please forgive me. I can foolishly waste precious moments fretting over things that I can do nothing about. You have given us the gift of prayer, allowing us to bring those things to You and let them go, so that we can open our hearts and minds to all You want for us.
Help me, please. I want to trust and obey You faithfully. I want to live today with peace, joy, and gratitude. I want to trust Your will for my present and my future. I want to love others and forgive as You command. I want to let go of yesterday’s messiness and tomorrow’s concerns. I want to focus on and enjoy today’s blessings.
I don’t want to sacrifice today’s contentment and satisfaction. I don’t want to give in to the enemy’s lies. With the Spirit’s help, I want to remember the truth that when I SEEK You and Your Kingdom above all else, You will give me everything I need.
I praise You, for who You are and for Your countless blessings. In the name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus, I pray. Amen.
A quote that says it well…
“One day at a time- this is enough. Do not look back and grieve over the past, for it is gone; and do not be troubled about the future, for it has not yet come. Live in the present, and make it so beautiful that it will be worth remembering.” ~ Ida Scott Taylor
My goal for the rest of my life is to focus on living one day at a time with a heart centered on the promise of a beautiful, eternal future with the Lord and the family of faith.
Imagine the peace and joy we would enjoy if we could resist the rest and center our lives on the Lord’s love and loving the people He has given us.
How do you focus on living one day at a time?
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Absolutely beautiful and so needed today! Thank you for being so wise and sending us such great and encouraging reminders! Have a beautiful day, sweet Deb!
I’m so glad it blessed and encouraged you, Kathy! Your kindness and encouragement always bless my day! Thank you, my friend!
All too often, I find myself fretting about the future or regretting the past. It brings worry and fear or bitterness, robbing me of peace and contentment . That’s when I need to stop and put my eyes back on Jesus. Hopefully, I’m getting faster at doing so rather than wallowing in misery. Sometimes it’s just making a list of His attributes, or I find reading the psalms help me. Thank you for some very practical ways to help me focus on living one day at a time with joy. These posts are such a blessing! Thank you, Deb.
In Him, Cecilia
I thought I had come such a long way in these regards, living 1 day at a time. And in some way I have. But all too often, I still find myself stuck in the past. A past that includes hurt, shame, guilt…you get the picture. Then I remember…oh yeah, I dropped these off at Jesus’ feet a long time ago!
I have walked with Jesus a long way, but I need reminders. Physical reminders to Let go let God; to not worry about anything and pray about everything. The Holy Spirit helps me remember to make that choice every day. My mom used to say, we dont know what is God’s plan for us, so don’t jump into tomorrow thinking you’re in control. Sounds much better in French the way she used to say it, but again you get the picture.
Thank you Deb…for always reminding me of the ways Jesus wants us to live! You are part of those physical reminders I’m talking about! XOXO
Me too, JoAnne! I’m so very thankful for the Spirit who faithfully and willingly reminds us of God’s love again and again and again. God bless you!
Beautifully said, Cecilia! I completely agree. When the enemy tries to steal my peace through thoughts of the past or the future, I have to focus on Jesus. I remember what He has brought me through and that I can trust Him with all of me. God bless you!
Dear Deb,
Please,please, please tell me what Bible translation you use in these messages you sent during the week – I need to get a copy.
Thank you and bless you ! Nan
Hi Nan! Thank you for visiting. I use the NLT – New Living Translation unless it is marked by the verse. It’s one of my favorites. God bless you!
Hi Deb,
Thank you so much !!!
As it turns out, I have a copy of the NLT here at home and I’ll use it, along with my NASB. I Love the simplicity of the NLT – it’s so understandable – just plain English !
For all your wonderful messages that I’m reading and enjoying since I subscribed to you, and for your answer today, I thank you so much !
God bless you, your family , and your ministry always !
Sincerely, Nan
Learning to live in the moment is so very crucial to being fully in God’s presence, Deb. I’m trying, and with His help, I’ll get there. Blessings!
Amen, Martha! Blessings to you!
My husband and I returned from missionary work of 20 years in South Africa working as a team for Jesus. Now, back in the USA he is an evangelist- so while I have a beautiful home, he is t here to share it for about 3 out of 4 weeks. My children live far away. As we age, I fear losing the short amount of time we have left by being apart. This message is a good reminder- enjoy each day just serving Jesus as best I can even if alone and trust that He has good plans for us even now. Thanks!
Thank you for sharing this, Heather. I completely understand the struggle. It sounds like the two of you have a wonderful closeness that makes times apart difficult. I’m praying for you and asking the Lord to give you peace throughout this season as you both continue to serve Him. And that He will bless you with many more years to enjoy being together. God bless you. I’m so glad you visited and hope to hear from you again. God bless you!