Journey into Light

“Don’t worry about tomorrow!” were the words that stuck in my mind this week as I went through a series of pre-op tests in anticipation of a non-invasive surgery for an abdominal aneurism. I was sorely tempted to not just focus on doing what I was supposed to do for the medical staff, but to also worry about what they would find.

Then, God’s words came to me. “Don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its’ own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today” (Matthew 6:34, NLT).

Why Not Worry About Tomorrow?

Worry is defined as fretting, over-thinking, and getting stressed about something.

In my case, the test results were clearly tomorrow’s problems for me. I didn’t have the facts today to address tomorrow’s test results. So, I refused to allow myself to worry about what they could find – like another aneurism or some artery blockage.

Also, my health is God’s responsibility, not mine. I cooperate, but he provides health. When I worry, I often go beyond trusting God to provide health to trusting in my self to provide health through my problem solving (worry). This disobeys God because he says, “Trust in Me with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5).

He wants us to trust him to provide what we desperately need, like health (Matthew 6:25-27). Yet we often stay committed to trusting in good circumstances and our ability to worry ourselves into peace of mind. Yet, so many of life problems are beyond our abilities to worry ourselves into a satisfying solution.

Another reason not to worry about tomorrow is that we burn up energy that God has given us to address today’s problems. We then become “weary and heavy laden” (Matthew 11:28-30) because not only are we carrying today’s problems, but tomorrow’s as well – and his promise is only to give us the strength for today’s problems. “As your days, so shall your strength be” (Deuteronomy 33:25).

How Do We Not Worry About Tomorrow?

We worriers are often good meditators. We can chew on a problem, analyze it 16 different ways, and come up with a good application- yet we often chew on lies and guess at our information. Wouldn’t it be better if we pondered what was “true, noble, reputable, authentic, …things to praise, and not things to curse” (Philippines 4:8, MSG)?

We need to meditate on what God says to us.

These are some things God has to say to us regarding worrying about tomorrow:

•  “I will keep you from being shaken tomorrow” (Psalm 16:8, paraphrased).

• “I will help you not to be troubled or fearful tomorrow” (John 14:27. paraphrased).

• “Even if your reliance on Me fails, I will still help you” (Psalm 73:26, paraphrased).

• “I will help you, strengthen you and uphold you in whatever happens tomorrow” (Isaiah 41:10, paraphrased).

• “No matter what bad things happen tomorrow, I will make sure that they will result in bringing you a net good” (Romans 8:28, paraphrased).

• “I will answer your prayers for protection for tomorrow’s problems” (Psalm 34:4-7, paraphrased).

Let’s take God at his word. Let’s not worry about tomorrow.