Matthew 6:34 – So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today. (NLT)

When I was a little girl, I watched a movie on our old black and white television about a little boy who rolled over in bed and fell into a hole and into another world. Hearing his screams, of course, the parents frantically reached their hands into the dark hole for the little guy, but they couldn't get to him. He had gone into the future and could not be rescued by the desperate parents. For months, I couldn't sleep because I was afraid of rolling off my bed into the dark hole. I can't even tell you how the story ended, probably because it was too scary for me to finish watching it. Surely, he was rescued from this terrible plight!

Unfortunately, I often find myself reaching into the future, the dark hole of my imagination and fears. I may be enjoying a beautiful day with no problems or burdens in sight, but I find myself, without warning, searching deep into the pit of foreboding thoughts. My trembling hands reach for the "what ifs" of tomorrow. When I draw them back, they are covered in dread and fear instead of faith. I like a popular saying, "Worry about tomorrow sucks the joy out of today", and that is so true. Knowing that we are a worrying people, our God addresses this in many places of the Bible. The Lord's Prayer says, "Give us this day our daily bread." (Matthew 6:11 KJV) I looked at many translations of this verse to get a clearer understanding of it. The Amplified Bible says "the essentials of life". The Message with its modern terminology asks for "three square meals daily"! My favourite is how The Passion Translation puts it: "We acknowledge you as our Provider of all we need each day." So why should we worry? Why reach into tomorrow's black hole, when we have plenty to contend with today? The Passion Translation says it best:

Matthew 6:34 – Refuse to worry about tomorrow, but deal with each challenge that comes your way, one day at a time. Tomorrow will take care of itself. (TPT)

Out of my window, I see the blue sky; I see birds clamouring for breakfast on our feeders; I see flutters of yellow as goldfinches display their beauty; I see the hope of another day that the Lord has made! May I not roll off the bed into the black hole of worry!

Prayer: Father God, Provider of our needs, protect us from worry. Surround us with Your love as we rest beneath your wings of compassion. Amen.

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About the author:

Jeanie Nihiser <jnihiserj@gmail.com>
Geneseo, New York, USA
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