Do you spend your time dwelling on the past, holding onto grudges or reliving moments of regret? Do you tend to think about the future—waiting for what’s to come, worrying about what could happen, or stressing about what needs to get done?
But what if we spent our time—this minute, right now—thinking about the present moment?
“I remember that distinct moment where time sort of stopped and I realized God has something to offer us even beyond all the things that we can control. Even just to slow down for a second and realize, wow. I am with the God who loves me!” said Fr. Bobby Blood, a priest of the Diocese of Rockford, IL, during his first appearance as a spiritual director on The Inner Life®.
Fr. Blood recommends that we take the time in the present moment we are in to stop and check ourselves; to contemplate what the Lord is inviting us into in the midst of whatever situation we are faced with. Who is the Lord asking us to be present to? What is the Lord asking of us in this moment? How might we be His light right now? What is He trying to tell us?
Living in the present moment isn’t always easy. We’re busy, there’s a lot going on in the world, and so much we could be worrying about or dwelling on. So how can we overcome these obstacles? Fr. Blood shared some practical tips.
Be honest. Be honest with yourself and with God about how things are going. “Verbalize and get out the things that we’re actually experiencing right now. But not doing that alone and not doing that in an unhealthy, sad way, but inviting the Lord into those conversations,” said Fr. Blood. Jesus, I’m feeling the burden of my sins. I’m feeling the weight of the current situation. I’m worried about the future. And after you let those feelings out, allow the Lord to speak to you and heal you and work through those emotions.
Surrender control. We like to know what is going to happen and be able to control exactly how it happens. As we know, that’s not possible. But we do know someone greater is in control. “I think that starts to shift our perspective from the worry and maybe even lack of trust into—someone else is in control. God is in control of these things,” explained Fr. Blood. Isn’t it comforting to know that even in the midst of great suffering and turmoil, He is watching over you and helping you?
So the next time you start to get overwhelmed—maybe a moment seems too much to handle or the news of the day starts to weigh on your heart—stop and listen. Think about the NOW. What is God speaking to you right now? What is He asking of you in this moment?
Stop. Breathe. Pray. Listen.
Hear more advice from Fr. Blood and Chuck Neff:
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