The Best Way to Live One Day at a Time and Actually Enjoy It
Jesus said, “Don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries.” Matthew 6:34
Solomon wrote, “Don’t brag about tomorrow since you don’t know what the day will bring.” Proverbs 27:1
Isaiah wrote, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.” Isaiah 43:18
Don’t worry. Don’t brag. Forget the past.
Live for today.
That’s what I want …. simple, faith-filled, focus on what God is doing in my life today. I want to let go of yesterday and leave tomorrow where it belongs—in the future!
But even though I want to faithfully live in the present, I fall short way too often. The enemy of my soul constantly taunts me with regrets and worries and my thoughts wander off to places that discourage and dishearten me.
Though I know I’m sacrificing peace, joy, contentment and so much more when I choose to focus on past or future “what ifs,” I still have days when I don’t feel well or circumstances don’t go the way I want challenging me to lose focus and retreat into the past and the future.
I need help.
I can’t do it on my own. I need God’s Holy Spirit to help me live one day at a time – free of regrets and worries.
I’ve made a list of “Just for Today” goals that I believe will help me. I’m hoping they will help you too…
10 Just for Today Goals to
Enjoy Life One Day at a Time
1. I will make healthy choices.
I will make every effort to eat a healthy diet, stay active, and get the rest I need with balance and without obsession.
Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body. Corinthians 6:19–20
2. I will be kind to myself and others.
I will remember how much God loves me and wants the best for me. I will not sabotage His work in my life with unhealthy choices. And I will extend kindness and compassion to the people God places around me.
When we are outrageously kind to ourselves it’s easier to be kind to others. (Wow, I need to work on this one! I can say some terrible things to myself)
3. I will choose to find joy in every day.
With God’s help, I will live in this moment and look for reasons to be joy-filled and happy.
It’s so easy to focus on what’s wrong and what’s missing. I am trusting the Spirit to help me…
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
4. I will trust God’s plans for me and follow where He leads me.
If you’re like me, you make your plans and you’re sure they’re right. Changes and interruptions can be the beginning of my day heading south.
I love this quote from Shauna Nyquist…
“I’m practicing believing that God knows more than I know, that He sees what I can’t, that He’s weaving a future I can’t even imagine from where I sit this morning.”
And with His help, you and I can trust that His plans, even His interruptions, are for our good and His glory although we may not see it at the moment.
5. I will repent and confess my sins to God trusting that He faithfully forgives me.
I’m one of those people who will relive past mistakes and own the guilt again and again. Rev teases me for often taking the blame for things that aren’t even my fault or my doing. Talk about joy robbers!
So, I am committing myself to trust God’s promise…
But if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. 1 John 1:9
And remember that when I doubt His forgiveness I doubt His love.
When you and I trust Jesus’ sacrifice we must also trust its sufficiency to cover our sins.
6. I will forgive others the way God has forgiven me.
I will give the gift of forgiveness to those who hurt me. Jesus included our need to forgive each other in the prayer He taught…
Forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. Matthew 6:12
Sometimes the pain seems to great to forgive but I am trusting that because Jesus spoke of the importance of forgiveness, His Spirit will help me accomplish it.
This quote from Max Lucado is so good…
“Forgiveness doesn’t diminish justice, it entrusts it to God.”
7. I will plan and prepare for my day asking God to guide me.
With God’s help, I will use today’s 1440 minutes intentionally.
I’ll admit, this one challenges me. I can so easily get distracted and unfocused. I want to strive to become a better steward of every moment of life God gives me.
“Productivity is never an accident. It is always the result of a commitment to excellence, intelligent planning, and focused effort.” ~Paul J. Meyer
8. I will not over-plan my day. I will leave time for stillness and rest.
“The key is not to prioritize what’s on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities.” ~Stephen Covey
I’ve written a personal mission statement. Having a mission statement makes it easier for me to know my priorities and schedule in a way that leaves me time to breathe. It also leaves time for God’s unexpected interruptions and best of all it makes time spent in His Word and in prayer a priority.
9. I will accept the unexpected … do what I can and trust God with the rest.
Whatever a day brings, I will trust that God is greater than my circumstances and live with confidence that He is able to give me the strength to endure.
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
I will trust His love!
10. I will refuse to worry.
Worry is a joy stealer! It is impossible to worry and experience joy!
And right after Jesus told His followers to “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.”
He said…
“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today. Matthew 6:33 –34
We can trust Him! With God’s help, we can simply do what we are given to do today, and leave tomorrow to the mercy and grace of God trusting that when we His Kingdom and live for His glory, He will supply everything we need to live … one day at a time.
And finally – I will count my blessings.
I began blessing counting during a time when my heart hurt so much it seemed impossible to see anything good. A discipline God used to strengthen me and fill me with hope. I’m a committed counter now.
Everyone was gripped with great wonder and awe, and they praised God, exclaiming, “We have seen amazing things today!” Luke 5:26
I want to pay attention! I want to see the amazing things God is doing and count every blessing one day at a time!
This quote from Ida Scott Taylor sums it all up beautifully…
“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.”
What things do you do to help you live one day at a time and enjoy it?
Leave your prayer requests…
and stop to pray one or two of the requests listed.
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Amen!
What an encouraging word!
Thank you so much, Melanie! You sure do bless me! <3
There is so much on my mind and heart right now, Deb, and I found great comfort in your words here today. I would so appreciate your prayers!
Blessings!
Oh, my friend, I am stopping to pray for you right now! Asking God to hold you close and to meet every need great and small. Sending hugs!
Today has been one of those days where a parade of small things got under my skin and before I realized it, my joy was being robbed! We usually think it is the big problems that rob our joy, but it can also be the little things. I am adjusting my attitude right now because I want to live one day at a time and actually enjoy it!
Isn’t it crazy how that can happen, Kathy! I so agree! It’s often the little things that pile up and suck the joy right out of me. I keep trying to remember to breathe in God’s precious love and breathe out the junk that’s agitating me. I believe He wants us to have victory and joy each day. Keeping my eyes focused on Jesus and the victory we already have in Him is the answer! Thanks and blessings!
I love all of these, Deb, especially the final one. 🙂
I’ll be sure to pass this along — it is so good!
Thank you so much, Marva! I sure am thankful for you! Blessings and Big Hugs!!!
Deb, this is SO GOOD!! Sharing with my Fb crew – pinned and tweeted. A personal mission statement? Genius. I’m off to read that next!! xoxoxo
Thank you, Ruthie! You sure do bless me! <3
Deb, I love this SO much! Thanks for pointing me to what’s important, and creating 10 daily goals for following through. This is just what I needed. August is going to be busy and these are the kind of goals I need every day.
Oh, thank you, Laura! I’m so glad this blessed you. I often write what I know I need and it always blesses me to know that it helped someone else as well. Thank you so much for taking the time to let me know. Blessings and hugs!
Today’s troubles are definitely enough for today & yet we love to bring yesterday’s & tomorrow’s in too, don’t we!
Learning to focus on God’s will for us on the day is such a blessing! Great post Deb!
Jennifer
Great post Deb. I, am learning to live in the moment for Christ. One day at a time. Looking beyond today can be overwhelming and looking back at yesterday can be discouraging. Thanks for words of truth.
Blessings
Thank you, Lureta! It took me way too long to learn this lesson. And I can still easily slip back into regret and worry. But by His grace, God faithfully calls me back and reminds me of His better way to experience peace and joy! I so appreciate your kind encouragement. God bless you!