Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matthew 6:34)
Sometimes that is easier said than done because our problems don’t always end when we go to bed. They often spill over into the following day, week or month.
How can we not think about what those problems might look like in the morning?
But this verse isn’t telling us not to think about tomorrow. It’s telling us to not spend any time worrying about tomorrow.
So, can we set goals for tomorrow? Yes.
Is it okay to figure out carpool and doctor appointments for tomorrow? Of course.
Can we make plans to meet a friend for a Pumpkin Spice Latte tomorrow? Duh.
Careful planning isn’t the issue. Chronic worrying is.
We need to stay in today and pray for God to handle our tomorrows.
If we don’t, fear creeps in… trust in God goes out… and we begin trying to work things out in our own strength.
In my world, it looked like this:
When my husband lost his job, I looked ahead and began to panic:
- How will we afford private school each month?
- Will we lose our house?
- What if our air conditioner goes out? (can anyone say “hot flashes“)
When I was diagnosed with cancer, I began to think past that moment and got scared:
- How will my kids grow up without me?
- Will my husband be able to hold down the fort after I die?
- Who will fill my role in the family?
When we discovered the details of my son’s bullying, I walked ahead of God and started worrying:
- Will he be able to make good friends at school?
- What will the lasting effects be, if any?
- How will his heart heal with all he’s been through?
I began to look way down the road… months and years even… and my fear and worry increased immediately.
But God tells us to stay in today.
To not get ahead of ourselves and our problems.
To leave tomorrow alone… for now.
To trust Him in the troubles we are facing… today and tomorrow.
Corrie Ten Boom once said, “Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.”
So… how do we do that? By remembering.
We remind ourselves of all the times God came through in our circumstances. We think back to all the times He worked all things for good in the lives of our friends. We recall His goodness. We recount His faithfulness.
Do you remember?
Sisters, God is trustworthy. He’s been involved in our lives since the beginning of time. He knows all our fears. God knows our struggles.
Let’s give our tomorrow-worries to Him, and choose to stay in today.
©2011 careyscotttalks.com
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Carey
Thank you so much for sharing this today…
We definetly think the same way!!
Huge praise.. we have seen God provide in ways we never expected in the last few days…..
Still praying about a job for Dave as well as me now that all 3 kids are in school fulltime… but 1st for him…. We know that God has a place for him….
Thanks for your prayers and friendship.. they both mean so much!!
Love ya
Chrissy
Chrissy! Love to hear that God is moving in your life. Isn’t He so faithful to us? Keep standing, sister. People are watching you… and you are strengthening their faith! love you!
Thank you so much. I needed to hear this today! Amazing how worry can so easily overtake my focus on the Lord. “Trust the unknown to a known God” – love that! Thank you for this today – releases me to not have to figure out how to fix it! I am taking it to the cross and allowing God to reveal the plan. What a relief! Thank you for the mental adjustment today!
Jeanelle… this is such a process for me. I battle staying in the day because I am a planner. It’s all about control. Glad my words spoke to you!
thank you for this…i look ahead and try to figure it out myself. great reminder. love getting your blog in my inbox!
facesintheclouds… thank you for liking my blog! So glad it speaks to you!
Thanks I needed to read this today 🙂
Leslie… thanks for stopping by! Be blessed!
Heavens. I’m always thinking in the future. I’m desperate to know what’s around each corner! I read somewhere that when we worry, we become momentary atheists. Or something to that effect. I don’t want that to be me, but I struggle with it so much! Thank you for the reminder to stay in today!
Rachel… I’ve heard that same quote about becoming momentary atheists when we worry. Makes sense, because we are choosing to trust ourselves and not believing that God can do what He says He’ll do. Blessings, sweet friend!
One of the gifts from my cancer season was the ability to live within a 24 time period and not look down the road. It’s a perspective that has held, even a year into my survivorship.
Beautiful thoughts!
peace~elaine
Carey, this was good. Really needed it today, thank you.
Oh Sue! I’m so glad God met you through my words today! Be blessed!