Contentment in the Present

Do you ever look back on the “good old days”? It is all right to do so to a certain extent, but do not dwell on them. Here are some reasons why.

First of all, the present days are likely just as good as those former times. You probably still have your needs met, and health about the same. Also it was the Lord’s will that these days are the way they are (unless you are interfering with the Lord’s will). Another thing, back in the “good old days” they were probably looking back at the “good old days” before them and thinking how nice they were.

Second, thinking of the former days could (and usually does) cause discontentment and also makes you less useful. You won’t get any joy from the present, and in the days to come, won’t have these years to think back on as the “good old days.” Instead of pouting about these present days, you should make the best of each moment, getting as much joy out of them as you can.

You need to have a forward and upward outlook instead of a downward and backward outlook. You need to press toward heaven, Philippians 3 tells us, instead of slipping backward to hell. Paul even wrote that you should forget what happened in the former days. So don’t dwell on things of the past, but on things of the present. Let Christ give you joy in the present, by serving Him and submitting yourself to his will. Then as you get older, you will be able to look back on these “good old days.”

—Name withheld by request.