Joy in the Now

My child, I have called you to accomplish great things and have revealed pieces of your plan to give you direction. However, you are now either so caught up in the past or future that you are not taking time to enjoy the present.

This was never My intent. 

I desire you to enjoy the journey. Take care of yourself, have a good time, love your people well and make the most of your work for as long as you live. I have placed so much richness and treasure in these moments. They are My precious gifts to you. Please, do not miss these gifts by focusing on the wrong things.

I deal out joy in the present. You cannot experience joy in the past, for it is already gone. You cannot receive joy in the future, for it has not yet come. So do not get lost in the past or future. Receive joy in the now. If you slow down and open your eyes, you will find it all around you!

The enemy attacks your mind to steal this joy and keep you from living in the present. He wants to sabotage you and keep you from your blessings. But you already know that I have overcome and can restore any lost time. So you have a choice – stay stuck or let go. If you let go, you will find Me. I will fill your heart with gladness, and you will discover complete contentment in the present. Your tank will overflow making you a joy-filled fountain for My glory!

Activation: Ask yourself where your focus is fixed. If it is stuck in the past, find the root and properly deal with it. Then, choose to let go. If it is glued to the future, ask the Lord to give you a healthy focus and let go of what is not. Once centred, begin to look for all the gifts of joy God has blessed you with. It can be found in your family, friends, work, church, scripture, nature, pets, and all of your favourite things. Make a healthy time for these things that is within your capacity (meaning do not overindulge to your detriment). When you are present, cherish the moment. Allow the joy of the Lord to fill your heart with gladness. Thank Him for the precious gifts and allow the joy to flow out of you and onto others for His glory.

Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 (MSG)

After looking at the way things are on this earth, here’s what I’ve decided is the best way to live: Take care of yourself, have a good time, and make the most of whatever job you have for as long as God gives you life. And that’s about it. That’s the human lot. Yes, we should make the most of what God gives, both the bounty and the capacity to enjoy it, accepting what’s given and delighting in the work. It’s God’s gift! God deals out joy in the present, the now. It’s useless to brood over how long we might live.

Psalms 70:4 (NLT)

But may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness in you. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, “God is great!”

John 15:11 (NLT)

I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!