One Day at a Time

July 9, 2001

WAVES OF EMOTIONS SWEEPING OVER US

The past few days, I have felt overwhelmed by waves and waves of
emotions sweeping over me. These are mixed emotions which are very similar to
that feeling we have inside when we are about to perform on the stage, and
the curtain is about to rise up. It's like the knot that's  inside your tummy
while waiting for an important result or appointment . These emotions are also
similar to what we feel  when we are in the doctor's/dentist's office
awaiting our turn.

STRUGGLING WITH BEING STILL

Memories of the past and anticipation for the future come sweeping over and
over again like strong waves against our soul.

News that we hear, letters  that we read, events that happen within our
walls and around the nations further add pressure to what we are feeling.

WHAT ARE WE SUPPOSED TO DO???

I was finding myself desperate for answers on how to keep my head afloat in the
midst of all these emotions.

LIVE ONE DAY AT A TIME

While swimming in the midst of this emotional turmoil, I heard the Holy
Spirit whisper these words  to me.

"Try to  live one day at a time."

I felt the Lord's reassurance that nothing is wrong. These emotions are part
of the process.  In order that we won't be overwhelmed by them in a
negative way,  we must seek to focus our attention on today.

We must not let the past frustrate us, and  we must  not allow the future to
overwhelm us because our God is the God of the past, the present and the
future. JESUS  IS THE SAME YESTERDAY, TODAY AND FOREVER. (Hebrews 13:8)

Whatever has happened in the past has already happened. If we have erred and
overlooked something, there is nothing we can do, but we can trust our God to
work these out for good according to His promise.

The future is beyond our control, but God is in control in spite of the
seeming impossibilities of the situations facing us. We  have pondered about
the vision that God has given us, and we just cannot, by ourselves, tie
together all the pieces and visualize how all them can be fulfilled. We
often drain ourselves trying to figure it out, but our God has the
detailed blueprints in His hand, and it is His job to bring every part to
completion.

MOUNTAINTOP

Many have labored and are climbing their spiritual mountain. We sense in our hearts that we are nearing the top, but we no longer have the strength left to
climb further. Many times, we are finding our faith being shaken, and we
often wonder if the problem lies with us.

SPEAK TO OUR SOUL

Like David, the Lord wants us to speak to our soul, "Why are you downcast, O
my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet
praise Him, my Savior and my God." (Psalm 42:5)

Below is one of my favorite prayers which I felt led to share with you
today. May these words bring encouragement to our hearts.

PRAYER BY LOUISE BECKER:

May you live, truly live each day so it is a full day, a useful day, a day
of joy and fulfillment. If you do this, happiness is sure to follow.

Try to forget yourself and think of others and serve them, and happiness will
sneak in through a door that you did not know you had left open.

May you have enough happiness to keep you sweet; enough trials to keep you
steady; enough sorrows to keep you human; enough hope to keep you happy;
enough failures to keep you humble; enough success to keep you eager; enough
friends to keep you in comfort; enough wealth to meet your needs; enough
enthusiasm to look forward; enough faith to banish depression; enough
determination to make each day better than yesterday.

Help us Lord to live one day at a time. Let us plan for tomorrow and hope
for the future, but not live in either. Help us to live this day well,
knowing that tomorrow's strength will come tomorrow. Amen!

Blessings to all,

Sis. Ching Co
Cebu City
Philippines