One day at a time

“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 (KJV)

What does this mean?

Jesus is teaching his followers not to carry tomorrow's worries on top of today's. He has just been talking about the everyday anxieties of food and clothing, and he tells them to leave tomorrow to tomorrow. Each day, he says, already has enough of its own trouble to deal with.

What does this teach us?

Worry borrows trouble from a day that has not come yet. Jesus does not say the future holds no trouble, he says you were not made to carry it all at once, and that today's trouble is enough for today.

How can we apply this?

When your mind runs ahead to next week or next year, gently bring it back to today. Ask one question: what is the one thing this day actually asks of me? Do that, and let tomorrow wait its turn.

Related KJV passages

“Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?”
Matthew 6:26
“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”
Philippians 4:6
“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”
1 Peter 5:7

Reflection

What worry from tomorrow are you carrying today, and what would it feel like to set it down until tomorrow comes?

Prayer

Father, my mind keeps running ahead to worries that have not happened yet. Teach me to live in today, to trust you with tomorrow, and to do the one thing this day asks of me. Amen.