You'll find it is easy to live stuck in the past or anxious about the future. But think about where God wants you now: is it the present moment? Learning to focus is about faith and mindfulness. Let these spirit-led and practical ways help you stay grounded in the now.
Before your mind runs off to yesterday’s regrets or tomorrow’s to-dos, pause and thank God for this moment. Take a breath and list a few simple things you’re grateful for: a safe home, a warm meal, a sunrise. Gratitude pulls you back into the beauty of now and reminds you that God is working in the ordinary.
Phones, notifications, and nonstop scrolling can make us miss the life right in front of us. Constant digital noise keeps your brain in the next thing, not the now. That’s why the Holy Focus app exists. It helps you block distractions and replace them with prompts to pause, pray, or refocus. Being present starts with creating space for your soul to breathe.
Multitasking may feel productive, but it pulls your attention in too many directions. Instead, choose to do one thing well. Whether you’re washing dishes, talking with a friend, or praying, be fully in it. God often speaks in the quiet of simple, focused moments.
Anxiety about the future makes it nearly impossible to stay grounded in the present. When worries rise, surrender them to God in real time. Say, “Lord, I trust You with this,” and bring your focus back to what’s in front of you. Philippians 4:6 reminds us not to be anxious, but to pray instead. Let peace replace the need to predict everything.
For years, I was either stuck replaying the past or stressing about the future. My mind was always somewhere else, anywhere but now. But the more I prayed, the more I realized I was missing the moment God was actually in. I started journaling, turning off notifications, and learning to just be. That’s why I built Holy Focus, to help people like me block the noise and reconnect with what’s happening right here, right now. Because the present is a gift, and I don’t want to miss it anymore.
Whenever I go on Facebook, I see a lot of what I'm missing. They say to ignore it since social media is a highlight reel, not reality. But it still made me feel insignificant. I dwelled on past mistakes, missed opportunities, and regrets. This post reminded me that God is waiting for me, not in the future, but in the present. I started journaling right after that. It helps me slow down and be aware of the present. It has helped me a lot.
— Ryan
My mind is always running several steps ahead. This article helped me realize just how much I've missed by not being in the now. I failed to notice what was living and breathing in front of me. I started doing the suggested steps during my lunch break and when I'm off from work. It's as if I felt more human again. If that makes sense. I can feel the present now more than ever before. I've been stuck in the future for too long.
— Omar
I started feeling anxiety in my teens, and I felt that living in the moment was impossible for some days. What I loved about what I read here was that I wasn't told that I just have "to be present." I understood how. I've read a lot of material on anxiety, but this is one of those that truly helped me. A mix of practical and spiritual wisdom. God is with me now, not just in the future. That thought brought me peace.
— Jenny
The present is where God moves, in the details, the pauses, the in-between. Look around: the smile of a stranger, the feel of sunlight, the silence between words. These aren’t accidents. They’re invitations to recognize that you are seen, known, and loved right now. Don’t miss them.
One of the most spiritual things you can do is focus on the present. It means choosing the harder option: trust vs control, peace vs panic, and gratitude vs distraction. Make space for God to hear you more clearly. This happens when you slow down and anchor yourself in today. When it becomes quiet, it’s holy, and that’s where your transformation starts.
3 Responses
I started feeling anxiety in my teens, and I felt that living in the moment was impossible for some days. What I loved about what I read here was that I wasn’t told that I just have “to be present.” I understood how. I’ve read a lot of material on anxiety, but this is one of those that truly helped me. A mix of practical and spiritual wisdom. God is with me now, not just in the future. That thought brought me peace.
My mind is always running several steps ahead. This article helped me realize just how much I’ve missed by not being in the now. I failed to notice what was living and breathing in front of me. I started doing the suggested steps during my lunch break and when I’m off from work. It’s as if I felt more human again. If that makes sense. I can feel the present now more than ever before. I’ve been stuck in the future for too long.
Whenever I go on Facebook, I see a lot of what I’m missing. They say to ignore it since social media is a highlight reel, not reality. But it still made me feel insignificant. I dwelled on past mistakes, missed opportunities, and regrets. This post reminded me that God is waiting for me, not in the future, but in the present. I started journaling right after that. It helps me slow down and be aware of the present. It has helped me a lot.