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Psalm 105:4 Seek the Lord and His strength; Seek His face continually.

I have a bad habit.

As I write that, I can imagine you might think and it is true… no doubt I do have more than one, but I have a particular one in mind right now. This one has to do with my computer which I use almost continually, it seems – for work, for church, for family, for fun – so many things in life involve my computer.

When I am on the internet, I have a particular browser that I typically use and of course, I have a “tab” open to the particular webpage that I am reading. Then, when I need to look at another webpage, I open a new tab, but leave the original one still open as well. As I am “browsing,” I will open another tab and another tab and another tab – and nearly all of them are left open because I don’t want to “lose my place” on that webpage even though I’m looking at another one.

It’s not hard to imagine the problems that result from this habit. As more tabs are opened, the harder it becomes to find amid the various tabs the one that I want. So, although I’ve left it open in order to easily go back to it, in reality, going back to it isn’t so easy. What I think I’m doing to save time, ends up wasting time. The thing that I imagine is beneficial, ends up being detrimental.

Web browsing isn’t the only place where this principle plays out. Sometimes my stress is self-inflicted, or at the very least self-magnified. By that I mean that I think and/or do things that only serve to increase my anxiety and my stress. Sometimes, I hold on to it and make it worse by not relinquishing it to the Lord. Instead, I add to it by opening up another tab or window of stress. The only real way it can be reduced is to seek the Lord’s face – His presence – which is there, but is too easy to ignore if I am not focused on it.

Lord God, You are above all things, including my anxious thoughts. You know all things, including everything I will face today. Your mercies are new every morning and You pour out Your grace that I don’t deserve as well as Your power into my weakness. Help me to focus on You rather than trivialities. May I see the world of people around me with Your loving eyes. In Your holy name I pray, Amen.            

Romans 12:2 Do not allow this world to mold you in its own image. Instead, be transformed from the inside out by renewing your mind. As a result, you will be able to discern what God wills and whatever God finds good, pleasing, and complete. (The VOICE Translation)