Past..Present..Future

I am reading a great book right now that could not have come along at a better time in my life

Its called "Loving God with All Your Mind" by Elizabeth George.

This book was recommended by my MOMS leader as a book that really

helped her take control of her thought life.

The part I am reading right now is about Training Your Thoughts

and is based on Phil 4:8

Whatever things are true,

whatever things are noble,

whatever things are just,

whatever things are pure,

whatever things are lovely,

whatever things are of good report,

if there is any virtue and

if there is anything praiseworthy-

meditate on these things.

The future:

"Do you frequently find yourself asking, "What if...?" That question can generate all kinds of fear about the future...God commands us to think on what is true and real. And its a fact-events in the future of neither...the future is in God's hands-His loving, capable, merciful, powerful hands! He can enable us to deal with what is real, what is now. And, the truth is, He will also be with us whatever the future holds. He is "with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:20) These truths mean we experience peace instead of worry when we choose to believe the Bible's promises regarding future events."

So..

Nothing will ever happen to you that God does not already know about (Psalm 139:1-4)

Nothing will ever happen to you that is a mistake (Psalm 139:4,16)

Nothing will ever happen to you that you cannot handle by God's power and grace (2 Cor 12:9-10)

Nothing will ever happen to you that will not eventually be used by God for some good purpose in your life (Romans 8:28)

Nothing will ever happen to you without God's presence (Matt 28:20)

The past:

"Like our "what if" thoughts about the future, "if only" thoughts can rob us of our peace and joy in the present. And the exhortation in Phil 4:8-to think on "whatever things are true (real)-comes to our rescue concerning thoughts about our past. That's because the past is no more real than the future. "If only" thinking is counterproductive because it does not address what is real. The past is gone. It is beyond repair, beyond restructuring. 

What is real is what is happening today. And God calls us to deal with what is now, what is true, and what is real. The backward gaze can produce regret and sorrow because it is impossible to return to the past or change the past. It is good to remember what we have learned from our mistakes how God enabled us in times of our need. He was with us then..just as He is with us today..and will be with us tomorrow (Psalm 73:23-24) If we look back with out remembering that God was there with us we sentence ourselves to a life of regret. God also uses our past, by His transforming power, God will redeem even the worst, most painful, and the most perplexing aspects of your past. "

The present: 

"We need to think on what is true and real in the present..this is not always easy to do! Too often we are tempted to say, "But this is not the way it was supposed to be. We need to accept what is real and acknowledge that God has overseen every detail of your life. This knowledge will help you act on what is true and real today..rather than resent reality and idly wait for fantasies to magically materialize. With God by your side, and by His great grace, you can love Him..even more, no matter what has-or is-happening to you."

This book as been such an encouragement to me as I struggle to take "every thought captive" 

As I reflect on mistakes I have made in the past, and stress out about the future there is only one thing that I can take hold of to find peace in the present. I know that God loves me, that I am His Child, and that one day all of the things of this earth won't mean anything when I meet Him face to face!