Day 2: Focus on Today, Not Tomorrow

One of anxiety’s favorite playgrounds is the future.

It fills our minds with “what ifs” and worst-case scenarios. What if I fail? What if I get sick? What if I never find someone? What if it all falls apart?

Jesus knew this. That’s why, right after telling us to prioritize God’s Kingdom, He says:

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

Matthew 6:34 (NIV)

It’s not a suggestion. It’s a loving command.

When we live in tomorrow, we borrow trouble that doesn’t belong to us yet. Most of the things we fear never actually happen.

As philosopher Michel de Montaigne wrote over 500 years ago about the results of worrying about tomorrow, “My life has been filled with terrible misfortune; most of which never happened.”

A Cornell University study agrees:

• 97% of what people worry about never happens.
• 85% of the time, it does not happen at all.
• And of the remaining 15%, most people said it wasn’t as bad as they imagined and they actually grew because of it.

So why do we waste so much of today worrying about what might happen tomorrow? Because we believe it’s all up to us.

Jesus isn’t saying don’t plan. Planning is wise. But worry is different. Worry assumes you are in control of the outcomes. That’s a heavy burden to carry.

Instead, Jesus invites us to live one day at a time. Not in fear. Not in avoidance. But in faith, trusting that God will give us what we need, when we need it.

God is asking you to trust Him with today… and to believe He’ll still be God tomorrow.

Reflection Questions

• What are some “what ifs” that have been dominating your thoughts?
• What would it look like for you to focus on what you can do today and leave the rest in God’s hands?