The Bridge - Be present: The power to manage chaos

BY TINA BOYLE WHYTE

Global Music Link Editorial Team

tinaboylewhyte@gmail.com

‘We walk by faith and not by sight’

(2 Corinthians 5:7)

Every day and everywhere we are being confronted with different circumstances in life - whether good or bad. And with those daily experiences, we make conscious and unconscious choices. Have you ever been driving somewhere, and you’ve gone into a daze, but your subconscious mind has taken over and got you to where you needed to go? Yes, we have all done it. There is so much going on in life that we can’t afford to go on autopilot; however, it happens more often than we realise.

Everyone has been overwhelmed by the multiple stimuli we all have been constantly bombarded and inundated with on a daily basis.

Last year, it was COVID numbers for how many were infected, hospitalised and eventually died.

This year, it has been the number of people taking or not taking the vaccine.

In fact, across the world many have begun experiencing contentious environments around whether to vaccinate or not to vaccinate. There are some who believe one dominant theory, and others believe in other theories. If you are unable to stop the chaos of varying voices, and don’t know where you stand on this matter, you will find you’ll be tossed about by every thought that comes your way.

So I challenge you to evaluate where you are. As a practitioner, my intention is to help people grow and develop, so they can move from where they are to where they want to be in life.

I want to talk about mindfulness, which Google defines as ‘the quality or state of being conscious or aware of something.’ The second definition is ‘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’ (The Oxford Dictionary).

Mindfulness is keeping your mind present, moment by moment. As mentioned above, there are so many thoughts that can take you away from being present. What other factors keep you from being present in the moment? Family matters, children, in-laws, work, school, money… and the list goes on. We find ourselves worried about the past, while planning for the future. Worse yet, these thoughts are often driven by fears of missing out or even by regret for previous decisions. I know and I understand. I am an ambitious planner.

I have been reminded to remain present. Present what, present where? I ask myself. One day I was praising in church, and I heard it very clearly in my spirit: I needed to be present. I realised this was about being present in my spirit, soul and body. I have realised I have a foundation in God that enables me to be present and have peace and rest at the same time.

Many people have strategies for remaining present, like breathing, centering and meditating, but here is what I recommend: meditate on the great inheritance we have in God our Father. Meditate on the promises He has given us in His Word. Meditate on how you can make a difference by letting His light shine through you.

I personally have felt really rested in my personal relationship with God through Christ. I have really allowed the Holy Spirit to lead me in the moment. It is important for us to remember that when we ask the Holy Spirit to lead us and guide us in any situation, He will. I realise it is hard to connect with our spiritual guidance in the often chaotic environment we live in today. However, this is the time we need to do it the most. Be present in the moment with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I promise you, when you rest and you’re present in the moment, He will take you from where you are to where you want to be.

‘It is important for us to remember that when we ask the Holy Spirit to lead us and guide us in any situation, He will.’