Live in day-tight compartments (2) - All The Word for Today Daily Devotionals for 2026

Psalm 118:24 NKJV

In The Screwtape Letters, C.S. Lewis demonstrated that God wants humankind to attend chiefly to two things: 'To eternity itself, and to that point of time, which they call the Present. For the Present is the point at which time touches eternity.' In light of that truth, Screwtape, the veteran demon, advised a novice named Wormwood with these words: 'Our business is to get them away from the eternal, and from the Present. With this in view, we sometimes tempt a human...to live in the Past.'

Screwtape then advised Wormwood about another demonic tactic - getting people to live in the future. 'We want a whole race perpetually in pursuit of the rainbow's end, never honest, nor kind, nor happy now, but always using as mere fuel wherewith to heap on the altar of the future every real gift which is offered to them in the Present.'

Whether we are overcoming lifelong addictions or going after life goals, one key to accomplishing things is breaking them down into manageable and measurable steps. A goal is a dream with a deadline. And without a deadline, the dream is dead in the water. Successful programmes that help alcoholics and addicts find sobriety and strength use the slogan: 'One day at a time!' If you want to break a habit, break it down into day-tight compartments. Just like boxing, you'll win some rounds and lose some rounds. But you've got to fight one day and one round at a time. Before you know it, your winning streaks will get longer, and your losing streaks will get shorter.

Soul food: Exo 33-35; John 5:1-15; Ps 87; Pro 27:4-6