Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:34, “Do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Jesus’ point is much more practical than we often think. He was telling us that we have enough to deal today without worrying about what could happen tomorrow. He wants us to learn to focus on the needs of today, or you will lose the joy intended for today.

British pastor Martyn Lloyd–Jones once said, “Although it is very right to think about the future, it is very wrong to be controlled by it.”

He was right because worry is a tremendous force that will try to defeat you. It will try to destroy you by making you upset and anxious. If it cannot find something to cause you to worry about today, it will take you into the future until it finds something that causes you anxiety.

There is a reason the Proverbs writer said, “Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad” (12:25). The constant weight of fear and worry can steal the joy from our lives.

Do you realize that living in bondage to fear and worry is a sin? Galatians 5:1 tells us that it was for freedom that Christ has set us free. Paul goes on to say to us in this verse to never again allow ourselves to be forced into a yoke of bondage again. In the context, Paul is speaking about bondage to the law but do not ever think that worry and fear are not forms of bondage.

There are lots of people who have lost their joy because they are worrying about tomorrow. In the process, they miss the victory that God has given them for today. That is not fair to you or Him. God has given you a glorious and blissful day; live in the light and fullness of that joy and use the resources God has given you. Do not willingly push yourself into the future and give up the pleasure of today over something that may never happen.

Do not forget this little statement: fear is a liar. It will rob you of the joy and life God intended for today. Something I have learned over my years as a Christian and preacher is that God gives us the vision and strength for one day at a time. He does not empower you for tomorrow until tomorrow comes.

When the Bible says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Heb. 13:8), it means that He will be doing the same thing tomorrow that He was doing yesterday. If you have any questions about the future, look at the past. Did He sustain you then? He will keep you in the future. Since there is no past, present, or future with Him, there is no need for you to worry.

Let me leave you with one last passage, “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6–7, ESV)