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Thursday, March 24, 2022

One of the best ways to avoid dealing with today’s challenges and difficulties is to get wrapped up in tomorrow’s.

Worry (Anxiety, Concern, Fear) 

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One of the best ways to avoid dealing with today’s challenges and difficulties is

 to get wrapped up in tomorrow’s. Matthew 6:34  

“Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”NKJV[1]

“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”NLT[2]

“Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” NIV 

Because God cares for his people’s needs, do not worry about tomorrow. In an appeal to common sense, Jesus explained that what we worry about happening tomorrow may not happen, so we will have wasted time and energy worrying. We need to reserve that energy for today because each day has enough trouble. We only add to today’s burdens when we worry about the future. All the anxieties about tomorrow will not change the outcome, and it will have enough anxieties of its own. The burdens of today are enough, so let God take care of them. God’s certain promises of care for our needs do not mean that life will be without trouble. Trouble comes, so we must trust that God will provide through his grace. We must trust him for today without worrying about tomorrow.

Planning for tomorrow is time well spent; worrying about tomorrow is time wasted. Sometimes it’s difficult to tell the difference. Careful planning is thinking ahead about goals, steps, and schedules and trusting in God’s guidance. When done well, planning can help alleviate worry. Worriers, by contrast, are consumed by fear and make it difficult to trust God. They let their plans interfere with their relationship with God. Don’t let worries about tomorrow affect your relationship with God today.[3] 

LIFE APPLICATION <>< DAILY TROUBLES ><>

One of the best ways to avoid dealing with today’s challenges and difficulties is to get wrapped up in tomorrow’s. It seems easier to worry about what might not happen in the future than to deal with what is happening in the present! Tomorrow may require plans and forethought, but not worry. Today requires work and trust. Worry immobilizes us today and reveals a lack of trust in God’s ability to hold tomorrow and preserve us. Jesus left no doubt that troubles of one kind or another will be part of the daily routine. But he also described those troubles as “enough” for each day. Can we not also trust God to provide whatever we need for the day? When we worry about tomorrow, we misuse the strength God has provided for today. We need to take “one day at a time” in our relationship with God. 

SEVEN REASONS NOT TO WORRY

6:25

The same God who created life in you can be trusted with the details of your life.

6:26

Worrying about the future hampers your efforts for today.

6:27

Worrying is more harmful than helpful.

6:28–30

God does not ignore those who depend on him.

6:31–32

Worry shows a lack of faith in and understanding of God.

6:33

There are real challenges God wants us to pursue, and worrying keeps us from them.

6:34

Living one day at a time keeps us from being consumed with worry.

 

Worry (Anxiety, Concern, Fear)

How can we keep from worrying? 

Bible Reading: Psalm 37:1–11

Key Bible Verse: Stop your anger! Turn from your rage! Do not envy others—it only leads to harm. (Psalm 37:8)

We must remember that worrying is choosing not to trust God. Anger and worry (fretting) are two very destructive emotions. They reveal a lack of faith that God loves us and is in control. We should not worry; instead, we should trust in God, giving ourselves to him for his use and safekeeping. When you dwell on your problems, you will become anxious and angry. But if you concentrate on God and his goodness, you will find peace. Where do you focus your attention?

Bible Reading: Matthew6:25–34

Key Bible Verse: Don’t worry about having enough food or drink or clothing. Why be like the pagans who are so deeply concerned about these things? Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs, and he will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern. (Matthew 6:31–33)

We need to understand how harmful worry can become in our life. Because of the ill effects of worry, Jesus tells us not to worry about those needs that God promises to supply. Worry may (1) damage your health, (2) cause the object of your worry to consume your thoughts, (3) disrupt your productivity, (4) negatively affect the way you treat others, and (5) reduce your ability to trust in God. How many ill effects of worry are you experiencing? Here is the difference between worry and genuine concern—worry immobilizes, but concern moves you to action.

Instead of worrying about what we cannot do, we need to focus on what God can do. To “make the Kingdom of God your primary concern” means to turn to God first for help, to fill your thoughts with his desires, to take his character for your pattern, and to serve and obey him in everything. What is really important to you? People, objects, goals, and other desires all compete for priority. Any of these can quickly bump God out of first place if you don’t actively choose to give him first place in every area of your life.

We need to keep things in proper perspective. Planning for tomorrow is time well spent; worrying about tomorrow is time wasted. Sometimes it’s difficult to tell the difference. Careful planning is thinking ahead about goals, steps, and schedules, and trusting in God’s guidance. When done well, planning can help alleviate worry. Worrying, in contrast, is being consumed by fear and finding it difficult to trust God. It is letting our plans interfere with our relationship with God. Don’t let worries about tomorrow affect your relationship with God today. Do you plan for tomorrow, or do you worry about it?

Bible Reading: Philippians4:4–9

Key Bible Verse: Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. (Philippians 4:6)

We cannot remove worry until we replace it with something better—prayer. Imagine never worrying about anything! It seems like an impossibility—we all have worries on the job, in our home, at school. But Paul’s advice is to turn our worries into prayers. Do you want to worry less? Then pray more! Whenever you start to worry, stop and pray.

God’s peace can replace worry. God’s peace is different from the world’s peace (see John 14:27). True peace is not found in positive thinking, in absence of conflict, or in good feelings. It comes from knowing that God is in control. Our citizenship in Christ’s kingdom is sure, our destiny is set, and we can have victory over sin. Let God’s peace guard your heart against anxiety. 

1.      Can we not also trust God to provide whatever we need for the day?

2.      Where do you focus your attention?

3.      How many ill effects of worry are you experiencing?

4.      What is really important to you?

5.      Do you plan for tomorrow, or do you worry about it?

6.      Do you want to worry less? Then pray more! 

Related Topics: Prayer, Sovereignty, Trust[4] 


[1] The New King James Version. 1982. Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

[2] Tyndale House Publishers. 2015. Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.

NIV Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.

[3] Barton, Bruce B. 1996. Matthew. Life Application Bible Commentary. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.

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