“So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:34; all Scripture quotations are from the New American Standard Bible).

Modern culture demands that we worry about tomorrow. We plan ahead, wondering how we will pay for the next car repair (or how we will buy our next car, even when the current one is running well), how we will manage our expenses during retirement in 10 or 20 years, or how we will handle a situation that might arise in six months or so. Foresight and planning are considered virtues.

However, many of us go beyond planning ahead to worrying. We not only save up money in an emergency fund “just in case something goes wrong.” We worry about what will happen if we encounter a crisis for which we are not prepared.

Jesus calls us to stop worrying about tomorrow. We often do not know what problems we will face tomorrow, let alone six months or 20 years from now. We have problems, temptations, and crises today, and we have to deal with those.

But instead of worrying, we should entrust them to the Lord. He knows our present needs, and He already knows our future. He can bring us through any problem if we will let Him.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).

“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time,having cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares about you” (1 Peter 5:6-7).

Are there any problems bringing you anxiety about the present or the future? Take them to the Lord in prayer.

Copyright © 2023 Michael E. Lynch. All rights reserved.