FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17
“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”
Matthew 6:34 ESV
CHASING PEACE: YOUR FUTURE
“I have a mountain of credit card debt”, one man told another. “I have lost my job. My car is being repossessed and our house is in foreclosure, but I am not worried about it”, exclaimed his friend. “No, I’ve hired a professional worrier. He does all my worrying for me, and that way I don’t have to think about it.” “That’s fantastic! How much does your professional worrier charge for his services?” “$50,000 a year”, he replied. “$50,000 a year? Where are you going to get that kind of money?” “I don’t know”, comes the reply. “That’s his worry.”
Jesus had just finished telling His listeners that if they sought God first, God would provide “all these things.” Therefore, they could let tomorrow worry about tomorrow. Charlie Brown once said, “I’ve developed a new philosophy… I only dread one day at a time.” Someone else once said, “Worry is just imagination used in an unproductive way.” (The Noticer)
Jesus’ command to not worry about tomorrow doesn’t mean that we don’t plan. But it does mean that our future is secure because of our relationship with God. Jesus wants us to work hard, to be wise and to plan. But we must trust Him with the results of that work, wisdom and planning. What about your future causes you the most anxiety? Ask God to give you the wisdom to know if there is any planning or work He wants you to do as it relates to your anxieties about the future. Then ask God to give you His peace about your future.
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Philippians 4:6
