What’s keeping you up at night? Do you worry about your job, your spouse, your family or your finances? Are you stuck in yesterday, your past, the present, or even fearful of your future? We cannot change these things, can we? We cannot change what happened yesterday, and we cannot control what will happen to tomorrow!

Sometimes we’re having regrets from what others did to us, or we allowed happen to us! That boyfriend who cheated on us, the spouse who had an affair, that boss who’s out to get me, the dad who walked out, job failures, marriage and relationship disasters, addictions and compulsions destroying our future. When we re-play these tapes over in our mind, they then begin to define who we are. We hold on to resentments and grudges and may even have conversations and judgments running in our mind such as: “all men are cheaters,” “he will never meet my needs,” “she is always like that,” “we’ll never make it financially,” “she’ll always take advantage of me,” “I’ll never make it,” “she’ll always be an addict,” “he’s abusive.”

We’ve got to let go of these things that weigh us down and trip us up. We need a new perspective! We have to choose to forgive those who have wronged us, whether they deserve it or not. Otherwise, they’re taking up “free rent” in our minds and frustrating us! Maybe you’ve been hurt so incredibly deeply that you don’t think you could ever forgive that person or that situation. Please don’t go through it alone, check out Celebrate Recovery, where you can begin to fellowship with other people who’ve been where you are and can encourage you through this process of forgiveness.

You may think you’re forgiving them lets them off the hook and isn’t fair which couldn’t be further from the truth! You release them, and, in turn, you gain freedom! What held you in bondage, in anger and frustrations, can now be erased! Don’t be stuck in yesterday! We’re not talking about denying the past, forgetting about it nor are we talking about dwelling on it. We’re choosing to let go! I never thought it would be possible to forgive someone who hurt me so incredibly deeply, but it’s possible and we can move on! We trust in HIM, and forgive through him and then we’re set free!

When we worry, isn’t this simply saying we don’t believe God can handle it? We don’t believe deeply in our core thoughts that HE is enough to fix it, according to his will and his way? Are we trying to jump into the driver’s seat and work it out on our own (control)? Yes, there are things in our present that can bring up fear and anxiety, but worrying will not erase them, and some things we worry about never even happen! We cannot control what’s going to happen, and worrying will make you anxious, sick and stressed! We can make plans for our future, but we must trust HIM to fix it and work it ALL out! So what’s the answer, we have to live in today! “So don’t be anxious about tomorrow, God will take care of your tomorrow too. Live one day at a time” ( TLB) Matthew 6:34

I am working on the “One day at a time” idea. It may sound pretty corny, but trust me- it works! I can choose to live in today, and be encouraged. I can choose to replace those negative, self-destructing words and thoughts that I re-play in my mind. I learned how to do this through the process of Celebrate Recovery! What may seem impossible to you and me is not impossible with God! (Matthew 19:26)

We cannot regret the past or dread our future; we’ve got to live in today and then we can experience freedom! Today is when change can occur! We can abandon our past and release our current fears! What’s worrying or stressing you today? What area of your life is stuck? Will you make a choice to begin to live in the here and now? Will you choose to do something different with your life?

CR is a safe place where you can begin again and learn how to live “One Day At a Time” with us! Come Thursday nights at 7 p.m. at 408 College St. Clinton, Come experience peace, joy and contentment! FMI: 910-379-4033 or nccelebraterecovery@gmail.com or check us out on Face Book: Celebrate Recovery Clinton.