Chapter 24
I AM Taking It One Day at a Time
Worry about tomorrow robs us of our peace of mind because we are focused on potential unpleasant scenarios that, in all likelihood, will never happen. Worry is experiencing a crisis before it even happens. Jesus understood this, when He said in Matthew 6:34: "Be not therefore anxious for the morrow: for the morrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof."
Jesus isn’t saying, “Don’t plan for the future." He is simply saying, “Just take it one day at a time, and don't borrow trouble. Don’t worry about how you’re going to handle things that come up tomorrow. Just focus on things you need to take care of today. There are enough problems that need to be resolved every day, without letting worry about tomorrow add to your level of stress."
Just a few verses before, in Matthew 6:11, Jesus taught us to pray. He said, "Give us this day our daily bread." Back in Bible times, bread was a whole-grain staple of life. It was baked fresh every day and was an essential part of life. And to the people of that day, bread was a symbol for everything else necessary for life and well-being. To them, the term "bread" implied not only bread, but also all sorts of delicious food, good health, shelter, clothing, a means of income, peace, safety, friends and family. Jesus was instructing His disciples to ask God for what they needed to live for just that day. And Jesus is urging us, "Don’t worry about having enough food or drink or clothing (Matthew 6:31). Don't worry about tomorrow" (Matthew 6:34). Just leave everything up to Me. I'll take care of you."
Today, when we pray "Give us this day our daily bread," we’re showing God that we're depending on Him for all the things we need, but just one day at a time. Within our request is the faith-knowledge that God will provide. With confidence, we make our needs known to God.
God promises His grace for tomorrow and for every day after, for every situation that may come up. But He does not give us the grace we will need for tomorrow right now. He only gives His grace a day at a time as it is needed. Relax, trust God, and just take it one day at a time.
Continue to Chapter 24: Questions
