August 23, 2008

Just For Today

It's recently come to my attention that all of the areas of struggle in my life come down to one thing: self-control. If I had more of it, my life wouldn't be nearly as messy. I've got a strategy to get things cleaned up, but it's a little overwhelming. For example, thinking about funding my trip to Peru is too much to handle all at once. Losing weight...same thing. My brain just doesn't want to go there.

It's wonderful to have goals, and I have set some. I just have to keep reminding myself I can't get there in a day, and I don't have to.

Easier said than done. I'm an all-or-nothing kind of gal.

The Lord recently reminded me of Matthew 6:34:

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

If I'm going to successfully lose weight, save money for Peru, finish the decluttering and other various projects, I have to focus on today. Yesterday is done, and tomorrow isn't here. I need only exercise self-control today.

You see, if I stop and think about sacrificing say, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups or the newest Vera Bradley, for the next 6 months (or longer), I'll just want them all the more. When I realize I just have to give them up for today, I can do that (well, usually). When I slip, I think about it today only. By tomorrow, it will be yesterday & I won't be able to do a thing about it. I can let my mistakes go & move on, rather than rehashing them over and over while telling myself I'm nothing more than a failure.

Think about it. The "Just for Today" approach will work with anything...food, money, relationships, housework, time with God. It will help me live victoriously through Him, rather than becoming so easily frustrated & discouraged about things I can't control. I believe frustration & discouragement are two of the enemy's most powerful weapons against believers, and I'm tired of letting him win.

So, I started a Daily Goals Notebook with Matthew 6:34 written inside the front cover. During my quiet time each morning, I will pray about what the Lord wants me to accomplish that day and write it down. I know that He won't give me more than I can do. He will show me what's needed. It's His agenda rather than my own. From the household chores I tackle to the ministry opportunities I accept, I'm giving it all to Him. The things I want to do, and even the things I think should do, don't get done until I've finished what's on the list. Self-control.

I'm praying I can keep this up. That my life will be vastly different when I leave for Peru. And that I'll be able to look back and see how I got there...one day at a time.

4 comments:

much2ponder said...

Self-control is something I think we all struggle with. I find that when I focus too much on the things that I need to change I end up feeling pretty bad when I am unable to succeed at whatever it is I am working on. Be it gentleness, love of others, eating too much or simply disciplining myself to spend more time with the Lord. Being that I am only human I believe self-control will be something I deal with until I am no longer on this earth. This morning my eyes turn to the Father and hopefully off of me long enough to allow his Holy Spirit to guide me. Praying for victory and realizing I am only human...not always an easy thing for me. Thanks for this post and making me think.

Girl Raised in the South said...

I loved this! Just for Today - I'm going to start that tomorrow morning - one thing a day, and focus on just that, just for that one day. Thanks for the encouragement and direction.

Lisa Spence said...

This day my daily bread...

Amen, sister.

Alana said...

You know I'm in this with you. Praying for you!