Jesus says comforting things. He also says challenging things. The following statement from Matthew 6:34 is both comforting and challenging at the same time!

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

I agree with that statement. I also struggle to live that way!

Jesus’ statement comes at the end of a longer teaching about seeking God’s kingdom first. When we do that, other practical needs (which we tend to worry about) will be met.

At the same time, this doesn’t mean that we’ll never have any problems. 

Some of you are very concerned about the future.

Some of you are dealing with a kind of exhaustion that makes your soul tired.

Some of you are dealing with uncertain health issues.

Some of you are navigating family dynamics that are causing you pain.

Some of you are trying to create a new chapter of your life almost from scratch.

Some of you are trying to do God’s work in a world that you feel is against you.

With all of this in mind, Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:34 are a good focus. The best thing that you can do for tomorrow is to trust God today.

When you think about it, tomorrow never comes. When we wake up tomorrow it will be “today.” This isn’t to say that we shouldn’t save money for retirement or schedule our next trip to the dentist. Rather, it is an invitation to follow Jesus in the here and now, and to not derail our focus by stressing about secondary details which are mostly out of our control anyway.

The job today is to live by faith. The job tomorrow is to live by faith. And the job the day after that is to live by faith. And God will guide and provide, as he always does.

The best thing you can do for tomorrow is to trust God today.

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Notes:

–Bible quotes are from the NIV.