One Day at a Time

Read

Matthew 6:34 "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

Think

Here is a funny thought. Have you ever tried to eat a whole week of dinners all at once? Monday's dinner, Tuesday's dinner, Wednesday's, all in one sitting? You would get a terrible tummy ache. Nobody can do that. You eat one dinner at a time.

Worry works kind of the same way. Sometimes we try to worry about the whole week all at once. What about the test on Friday? What about the field trip next month? What if something goes wrong three days from now?

Jesus had a better idea. He said, “Do not worry about tomorrow. Tomorrow can handle itself. Each day has enough of its own stuff. You do not have to carry all of it today.”

God gives you what you need for today, today. He does not hand you tomorrow's strength yet, because you do not need it yet. When tomorrow comes, his help will come right along with it. Fresh. Right on time.

Think about a flashlight walking down a dark path at night. The light does not show you the whole path all at once. It just lights up the next few steps. But that is enough. You take a step, and the light moves with you, and the next steps light up too.

God is like that. He gives you enough light for today's steps. You do not need to see all the way to Friday. You just need to trust him with right now. And when Friday finally comes, guess what? He will light up those steps too.

So if your brain starts running ahead, worrying about things that have not even happened yet, gently bring it back. Ask yourself, “Is this a today problem or a someday problem?” If it is a someday problem, you can let it go for now. You have today. God is with you today. That is enough.

One day at a time. One step at a time. Your Father is holding the flashlight, and he is not going anywhere.

Apply

Stay in today – When you catch yourself worrying about something far away, stop and say, "That is a tomorrow thing. Today, God is with me." Then focus on just the next thing in front of you.

Pray

God, sometimes I try to worry about everything all at once and it feels too big. Help me take one day at a time. Thank you for giving me exactly what I need for today. In Jesus' name. Amen.