Today Is Not Tomorrow

Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.

Matthew 6:34 msg

Unlike some of the best science fiction movies, we can’t travel into the future and see how life turns out. We also can’t predict a happily-ever-after. We prepare, plan, and work diligently. But there is no guarantee that what we hoped for will ever come to fruition. Some of us are okay with that, knowing that we can do our best, but the future is in God’s hands. Others can become so concerned about the future that those worries start to affect us physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

According to the Mayo Clinic, any type of worry or stress that is left unchecked can present as fatigue or trouble sleeping. Our moods can shift between anxiety, irritability, and feeling overwhelmed, all emotions that can potentially lead to social withdrawal, a change in eating habits, or angry outbursts.6 Sound familiar? Chronic worry can lead to bouts of sadness or depression.

Even though the future is loaded with uncertainty, we do know one thing we can rely on: God shows up repeatedly to provide for his people (Exodus 14–16). We also know that God never changes; he is the same from everlasting to everlasting (Psalm 90:2). The same God in the Bible will show up for us at exactly the right time with exactly what we need. Learning to let go of the things we can’t control and leaving them in God’s hands takes away the burden. Life is hard. But we don’t have to manage it on our own. In his own time, God will bring us to the next step and meet us there with everything we require.

If you must look back, do so forgivingly. If you must look forward, do so prayerfully. However, the wisest thing you can do is to be present in the present. Gratefully.

Maya Angelou

Leave the broken, irreversible past in God’s hands, and step out into the invincible future with Him.

Oswald Chambers

For Further Reflection

Psalm 94:19; James 4:13–17; John 14:1

Today’s Prayer

Lord, help me to focus on you and not get so wrapped up in my future that I miss what you are doing today. Please help me to remember you’re here with me today and ready to meet me in the future. Amen