Answer
There are numerous circumstances and situations in this world that lead us to worry. The uncertainty of what the future holds often keeps us awake at night or fills our thoughts with anxiety or concern. However, Jesus instructed us not to worry about tomorrow. He said, “Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” «Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.», (Matthew 6:34, ESV) or “Today’s trouble is enough for today” (NLT).
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches His disciples not to worry. He challenges all of us not to worry about our lives «Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? », (Matthew 6:25), not to worry about what we will eat and wear (verse 31), and not to worry about tomorrow (verse 34). Instead of worrying, we can trust God. We don’t have to worry about our daily provisions because God is trustworthy as our Provider (verses 26, 30, 32). Instead of worrying, we can come to God for our daily needs in prayer (verse 11) and trust that He will provide. Jesus tells us we also shouldn’t worry about our future because sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Worrying about the future is futile. We cannot fix anything by worrying. Neither can we change any circumstance or future event by worrying, just as we cannot add any height to our stature by worrying «Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? », (Matthew 6:27). We are also not guaranteedEnsure that things will happen the way we fear they will. The trouble we expect tomorrow may never occur “Boast not thyself of tomorrow; For thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.”, (Proverbs 27:1).
Another issue with worrying is that it diverts our attention from today. Jesus reminds us that each day has enough trouble of its own. This implies that every day presents its own challenges to be faced in a righteous manner, without adding speculative problems that might arise tomorrow. By addressing today’s challenges, we can better confront those of tomorrow “For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.”, (Matthew 13:12). Eugene Peterson’s interpretation of Matthew 6:34 states, “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” (MSG).
Jesus instructs us to focus on His kingdom and His righteousness for today “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”, (Matthew 6:33). Sufficient for the day is its own trouble does not imply that we should not plan for the future. It means we opt not to worry or be anxious about tomorrow and instead concentrate on what He calls us to do today. Tomorrow’s trouble will come in due time, and when it does, God will still be there with us (Psalm 73:23-26;Matthew 28:20). He is the One who holds tomorrow in His hands . We should trust God to provide what is needed day by day. As the hymn “Day by Day and with Each Passing Moment” by Carolina Sandell says,
Day by day and with each passing moment,
Strength I find to meet my trials here;
Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment,
I have no cause for worry or for fear.
He whose heart is kind beyond all measure
Gives unto each day what he deems best—
Lovingly, its part of pain and pleasure,
Mingling toil with peace and rest.
When we are tempted to worry about tomorrow, we need to refocus and remember that sufficient for the day is its own trouble. God is trustworthy to hold our tomorrow, and He will lovingly give us what we need to get through it then: “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23).
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