Look Forward, Not Far

​Steven Furtick says, "Look forward, not far."

I’m sure much of my depression in life has resulted from looking too far. And at times, it still does.

It’s a cycle of sorts. You can clearly see where you want to go—the relationships you long for, the career achievements you hope to reach, the father you want your boys to see you as. You can see it all. But in seeing it, you also see every step it will take to get there.

I think I’ve spent much of my life looking forward to my future while hiding from it at the same time. Maybe that’s a definition of depression—looking forward to a future with an intimidating path.

Faith tells us it’s good to know where we’re going, but it calls us to be present where we are. Faith tells us it’s wise to have a destination, but we will never reach it if we spend our lives dreaming of arrival instead of living the day we are in.

I have often resisted plans in my life. Plans can feel like a long, slow road to where I want to be right now. But that’s a me problem. Plans don’t produce anxiety. What produces anxiety is focusing on steps beyond today’s step. Worrying about next year’s steps instead of working on today’s step—that’s what creates anxiety.

Jesus once said, “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Sobriety feels impossible if I fixate on staying sober next week instead of embracing the sobriety of today.

Healing from trauma feels overwhelming if I worry about emotions that might be triggered next year instead of holding onto the peace I can find today.

Writing an entire article can feel daunting. Writing this sentence makes it feel far less so.

Andy Stanley says, "Direction, not intention, determines destination."

Sometimes we get caught up wondering—How much further do I have to go? But in reality, the better question might be: Am I going the right direction?

Direction is determined by what we do with this moment. With this day. String enough days together in the right direction, and one day, tomorrow will start to look a lot like where you wanted to go.

I have a hard time driving at night. It’s harder for me to see. So I slow down. I pay attention to the road right in front of me.

That’s great advice for driving at night.

And in that, there’s also some great advice for living during the day.

Look forward.

Not far.