Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34 (NIV)
There are people who think we’re crazy, for just when we had three children grown and out of the house, we adopted three more. Another cycle of chore charts and manners. Another cycle of T-ball and piano lessons. Another cycle of conjugating verbs and multiplication tables.
I have to admit that sometimes I think we’re crazy, too, and worries sift in. We’re older now; are we going to be able to keep up? What about the cost of college? Will they want to search for their birth parents? How will that go?
I have to remind myself that those aren’t things that I need to think about. Instead, I only need to consider today. “No man ever sank under the burden of the day,” wrote George MacDonald. “It is when tomorrow’s burden is added to the burden of today that the weight is more than a man can bear. Never load yourself so.”
Yes, there are things that are troubling. When our kids first came home we had to deal with emotional and behavioral issues that were brought on by the neglect they endured. It wasn’t as if we never wanted to worry, but Jesus also told us where to take those worries—to Him in prayer.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
“Don’t worry,” Jesus tells us. “And when you do, present your requests to God.” Jesus knows that both are the right answer, and He gives us two options. But both options are a confession that He is in control. He can take care of everything better than we can, so why don’t we turn it over and let him get to work on that!
Faith Step: For the next week place a heart around that day’s white square on your calendar and let Jesus know that you aren’t going to get stuck in worries beyond today. And then offer up even those daily worries to Him in prayer.
