Not Today

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth.”

Psalm 46:10

by guest writer, Joel Carlson

Not Today. Two very simple yet powerful words I tell myself every day. “Not Today.” As I walk out the door to begin a new day I tell myself, “Not Today.” What do those two words mean to me? Being in recovery the easy answer is that today I will not drink. Equally as important, I will not be dishonest, prideful, deceptive, or arrogant. Instead, I will be sober, honest, humble, and a man of integrity. When I remind myself of those two words, “Not Today”, I have a gentle reminder of who I once was and why I don’t want to be that way again.

Psalm 46:10 is one of my favorite passages as it is a powerful reminder from God to remember that I need to be still and know that He is God and He is in control. If I can get out of my own way, be still and rest in the knowledge of God’s control over my life, then I am able to feel that peace and allow myself to attack my day knowing that God has it already taken care of. When I have the attitude of “Not Today,” I am doing my part in trying to model a life that shows Jesus in me when I surrender my day to Him. I feel that stillness that comes from letting God be the God of my life. I choose to trust that God is the Great I Am and will be in control of my day. Today will be a good day!

DO THIS TODAY: Identify one area of your life you need to change. Tell yourself “not today” and ask God to take control.