Why worry about tomorrow, if you made proper plans today?

The Word

“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” Matt 6:34

The Message

I used to dominate ‘Fantasy Basketball.’ For a short space of time. 🙂 In a league with a few friends. I would wake up at wee hours in the morning to start picking guys off the wire. Evaluating stats from the games the night before. Making predictions based on injuries to players. Who’d start? Who’d get more playing time? Which categories I could win in a head to head battle? How many games were left in the week for the players on my squad? And even more calculated guesses. It was fun.

Bobby McFerrin’s song ‘Don’t Worry, Be Happy!’ was a number one hit back in 1988 when it was released….It has become one of those timeless songs. Part of the lyrics say,

‘In every life we have some trouble; But when you worry you make it double’

On the other hand, what might seem counter to this is the military adage with the ‘7 P’s’ which says,

‘Proper Planning and Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance.’

So which is right? Is it either, neither, or do the both go hand in hand?

Sometimes we think ‘not worrying’ involves some aloof, meandering state of mind. Or, a carefree attitude that suggests Monday could fall on a Wednesday, or Thursday on a Sunday. Or, maybe even worse, the thinking: ‘why worry to do anything today because God will take care of me.’ Really?

In Matthew 6, we are encouraged not to worry. This instruction begs the question, why? Here are seven reasons not to worry, shared in my Chronological Life Application Study Bible published by Tyndale:

7 Reasons Not to Worry

1. The same God who created life in you can be trusted with the details of your life

2. Worrying about the future hampers your efforts for today

3. Worrying is more harmful than helpful

4. God does not ignore those who depend on him

5. Worrying shows a lack of faith in an understanding of God

6. Worrying keeps us from the real challenges that God wants us to pursue

7. Living one day at a time keeps us from being consumed with worry

The authors go on to add:

‘Planning for tomorrow is time well spent; worrying about tomorrow is time wasted. Sometimes it’s difficult to tell the difference. Careful planning is thinking ahead about goals, steps, and schedules, and trusting in God’s guidance. When done well, planning can help alleviate worry!’

What a good summary!

Set your line up. And He will line up the rest!

A Prayer for Today

Lord we put our trust in You! Guide us today so that our actions lead to a better tomorrow! With gratitude and thanks we pray, amen.

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““That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear.

Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?

Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you.

Why do you have so little faith? “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”

Matthew 6:25-34 NLT