Stay in His Presence

Hello love bugs,

“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you because he trusts in you.” Isaiah 26:3 ESV 

In times of grief and turmoil—whether we find ourselves grappling with anxiety, battling depression, or experiencing feelings of denial, anger, or even bargaining—one of the most profound and beneficial actions we can take is to deliberately shift our focus away from the overwhelming circumstances that surround us and redirect it towards Jesus. This redirection is not merely a suggestion; it is a powerful practice that can transform our hearts and minds. When we consciously choose to focus on Jesus, we cultivate a sense of eternal gratitude within ourselves. This gratitude acts as a balm for our troubled minds, freeing us from the weight of our struggles and the atrocities we may be facing! A life imbued with gratitude is undeniably a joyful life, filled with light and hope! Why should we dwell on the trials and tribulations of our lives when we have the assurance that Jesus is already carrying the heavy burdens for us? He is fully aware of the challenges we are enduring! All we need to do is release our worries and concerns to Him and place our unwavering trust in His divine plan. Why not make the conscious choice to shift our focus onto Him and allow Him to take on the heavy lifting? Consider the moment when Peter stepped out onto the water to walk towards Jesus. In that moment, he was not relying on his sight; instead, he was walking in faith, with his eyes fixed firmly on Jesus! He trusted wholeheartedly that Jesus would carry him through the stormy waters safely and securely. Do you trust that Jesus will carry you through your own storms in life? The real question we must ask ourselves is whether we are focusing on Jesus while the chaos of life surrounds us. Are we merely fixated on the issues at hand, allowing them to consume our thoughts and energy? Picture yourself sitting around a fire: are you focusing solely on the flames and the heat, or are you gazing into the face of Jesus, who is present with you? In every situation we encounter, whether it is filled with joy or laden with sorrow, we should strive to keep our focus on Jesus! Let us continue to dwell in His presence, for our Father is omnipresent—always with us in the present moment. The present is indeed a precious gift! The key to experiencing eternal joy and peace lies in our ability to remain in the Lord's presence. Let us train ourselves to focus on the myriad of gifts that the Lord has graciously bestowed upon us! Father, we come before you with hearts full of gratitude, thanking you for being a present and attentive Father! We are grateful for the opportunity to dwell in your presence! We thank you for blessing us with the gifts of peace, joy, love, gentleness, kindness, goodness, and self-control while we remain in your divine presence! We ask you to continually shift our desires, instilling within us an innate yearning to always seek your presence! May it become second nature for us to turn to you instantly when troubles arise, finding solace and strength in your love. We express our heartfelt thanks for all the gifts you have given us! For in you, we find our eternal gratitude! In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.