Tomorrow: The Antidote For Frustration

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.”

Matthew 6:34

On peaceful days I feel in absolute accord with the will of Christ. Other times, when a sense of frustration sweeps over me, I am anxious about where Christ is taking my life. The difference always boils down to trust, and trust always swirls in the realm of the future.

Are you frustrated about your future? Do you doubt that God’s plan is the best plan? I have never doubted that God’s plan is the best plan for my life, but I don’t always like it. Sometimes a rebellion rises up within me, and I want a break from God’s plan—to see things take a different direction.

Do you ever get frustrated because you would like to lead a more important life, a more exciting life, a more rewarding life? These desires are the embers of ambition. God can initiate our ambitions, or we can do it on our own. If you are frustrated, if worry over your plans consumes your thoughts, your ambitions are your own. Yield them to Christ.

Making plans from self-initiated ambition leads to rebellion against the will of God. When once we start a rebellion against the will of God, frustration and worry over tomorrow mark our present. Christ says simply, “‘Do not worry about tomorrow.’” Trust is the antidote for frustration.

Frustration Defined

Frustration for the Christian can be defined as “the extent to which my will does not equal God’s will.” Whenever we are not completely satisfied that the will of God is a sufficient plan for our lives, a sense of panic about the future lunges into our conscious thoughts. “I need a more predictable future, a more concrete plan. I cannot live with this much ambiguity about my life.” Christ says, “‘Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.’” By His power He holds all things together, including tomorrow.

Frustration over future plans is a curse and a symbol of an unsurrendered life. Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit will teach us all things and remind us of everything Christ told us at the moment of our need. The essence of the Spirit-led life is to take no thought for the morrow. Corrie ten Boom said, “Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow; it empties today of its strength.”

Only Christ can resolve the issues of your life. Do you know where the customers are going to come from to meet next month’s projections? Do you know how to solve your wife’s/husband’s restlessness about your marriage? Do you know how to satisfy your craving to lead a meaningful life?

The Antidote

Christ is completely trustworthy. Looking back, have you ever been disappointed with the will of God? Although we thought so at the time, we were wrong, for He does not disappoint. He will orchestrate His good, pleasing, and perfect will if we will seek Him as He really is. He says, “‘Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.’”

The God who is says you will have trouble in this world. “In this world you will have trouble” (John 16:33). The mistaken teaching that once you accept Christ, God will bless you abundantly must be tempered with the reality of the world. “The Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin” (Galatians 3:22). The world is the province of the enemy.

Is your life hard right now? Do not be frustrated; God is having His way in your life. Jesus said, “‘In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.’”

Our hope is not that our plans will work out as we want, but in the tender mercy and grace of Jesus. With Jesus we can face today with His peace. “‘I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace’” (John 16:33). When we stew over our future plans, frustration will sweep over us like a cold, dank fog rolling in from the sea. Dread will replace the innocent trust we were having in Christ. “‘Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.’”

Do you feel like a slave to the future? Does worry over tomorrow consume your thought life? Believe Him when He says tomorrow will worry about itself. Trust Him to take care of you, even if it leads down a hard road. Believe that He has only your best interests in His heart and surrender tomorrow to Him.

He loves you with an everlasting love. Surrender your frustrations and your ambitions to Him. “‘Do not worry about tomorrow.’” Live in the present only, and trust tomorrow to the perfection of Christ’s promise: “‘I have overcome the world’” (John 16:33).

I SURRENDER

Lord Jesus, I have been frustrated about my future, nervous about my life. I confess that I have not trusted tomorrow to You, but I have been seeking to orchestrate my own future. Help me to be content with my life and to take no thought for the morrow. I will trust You. Amen.