Don’t Let Tomorrow Trash Today

Matthew 6:33-34 says: “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”

I don’t know an actual percentage, but I know the great majority of my worries are not about today, but about tomorrow. Or perhaps they are about next week, next month, next year, or even farther away. Perhaps I’m worried about how my kids are going to turn out. Perhaps I’m worried about making the house payments next year. Perhaps I’m worried about having a job next month or a pay cut. Perhaps I’m worried about having enough money for my wife and I to eat when I retire.

Today, I have clothes, food, and a car. I have a job. My kids are all doing fine. My cars are working. I’m still breathing in and out. Everything really is good today.

However, despite how good today is, I’m filled with anxiety. My anxiety is not doing one bit of good to help with any of my potentials problems. In fact, my anxiety is probably contributing. When I get anxious and afraid, I start to procrastinate. Then I don’t get work done, I’m behind, and I neglect responsibilities. When that happens, I’m contributing to possibly losing my job.

When I’m filled with anxiety, I often want to medicate those awful feelings. I often medicate by eating, spending, or both. That keeps me from saving properly to be ready for retirement.

Additionally, with all these anxieties about tomorrow, instead of living by faith, I try to play God and protect tomorrow myself. I arrogantly believe there is some choice I can make that will relieve me of or protect me through all potential problems. When I’m thinking like this, I’m trusting me and not trusting God.

Am I the only one that does this? I doubt it.

When this whole insane scenario is playing out in our minds, we need to remember Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:33-34. Don’t let tomorrow trash today. Instead, we need to be grateful for the blessings God has given us today. Instead of trying to play God and protect ourselves from every potential problem, we need to seek God’s kingdom and righteousness. We need to simply figure out the next right thing and do it. When we do that, God says He’ll take care of us. We may not be able to see how, but we can trust Him. We may lose our jobs. Our kids may go off the deep end. We may be hungry. In those days, we should do the same thing—seek God’s kingdom and righteousness. He’ll take care of us.

The fact is, if we want to protect our tomorrows, the best thing we can do is quit trying to do so. Don’t let tomorrow trash today. Use today to pursue God’s rule and righteousness. He’ll protect our tomorrows.