“Mindfulness” is a popular word these days. The dictionary defines it as “a mental state achieved by focusing one’s awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one’s feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations.”* You could say that it means living fully in the moment. How does that square with what Jesus taught?
Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.
–Matthew 6:33-34 MSG
When I’m mentally unhealthy, I regurgitate the past (which can’t be changed) and fret about the future (which can’t be known) while I anxiously try to control the present. In contrast, Jesus invites me to release the past (which is fully encased in His redemptive plan), hope for the future (which rests in His wise and loving hands), and breathe deeply as I walk with Him in the present day.
What if my present days are hard—really hard? I have to remember to share my grief, anger, discouragement, and fear with God. (And go to the Psalms!) But something beyond spent emotion waits for me. It’s the Father’s daily invitation to walk hand-in-hand with Him. Songwriter Sara Groves captured this idea beautifully in “He’s Always Been Faithful”:
Morning by morning I wake up to find
The power and comfort of God’s hand in mine
Season by season I watch Him, amazed
In awe of the mystery of His perfect ways
All I have need of, His hand will provide
He’s always been faithful to me.
I can’t remember a trial or a pain
He did not recycle to bring me gain
I can’t remember one single regret
In serving God only, and trusting His hand
All I have need of, His hand will provide
He’s always been faithful to me.
This is my anthem, this is my song
The theme of the stories I’ve heard for so long
God has been faithful, He will be again
His loving compassion, it knows no end
All I have need of, His hand will provide
He’s always been faithful, He’s always been faithful
He’s always been faithful to me.
ACTION: What distracting thoughts keep returning to your mind? What would help your mind rest from unwanted thoughts? Some options: journal without filtering emotion; pray Scripture out loud; confide in a friend; listen to uplifting music. How would you like to respond to the Father’s invitation to walk hand-in-hand with Him today?
*Oxford Dictionary
