A few weeks ago, we started a new year and put 2024 to rest. Regardless of what we endured and what we had to face, we all survived. Today is the first day of the rest of our lives. We have talked about how our attitude determines how we face everything. The saying, ‘Today is the first day of the rest of your life,’ has been used many times to the point of being aggravating to hear. Even if you are tired of the saying, it should remind us to live every day as if it were the last. Many of us forget that there is no guarantee that tomorrow will get here, and if it does, there is no promise that we will want what it brings. We should be encouraged that God has given us another day. Jeremiah 29:11 declares the lord “plans to prosper us and not to allow harm; God gives us hope and a future. Many do not know why we have lived as long as we have or why God has kept us around. We should take comfort in knowing that God’s purpose has not been completed and that our future will play out when that purpose is finally served. This thought alone should allow us to let go of past events and regrets and confidently look forward with excitement and optimism.
In the 17th century, a Spanish poet wrote, “Today is always still,” which tries to tell us that we should live and appreciate the present. Later, Victor Hugo wrote “Les Misérables.” This work caused many students to suffer through this novel in high school English. Mr. Hugo is trying to tell us to take life one day at a time when he tells us, “Remember this, for it is as true as the Gospel: each day has its own burden. Worry about that day alone. Do not carry tomorrow’s burden as well.” We are reminded in Matthew 6:31-34 that we should not worry about what to eat or wear, emphasizing not worrying about our future. We should know that God will provide everything we need.
We have often been told that the Bible is the word of God. Chosen individuals transcribed it to record God’s words to man. If we genuinely believe this, we have to know that each word was selected for a specific reason and that each word is essential in the context in which it is used. So, it is crucial to consider that the most frequent phrase used in the Bible is “Fear Not.” This short but powerful phrase appears 365 times. Consider that this is often enough to cover every day of the year. God seems to have many of our problems solved before the problem ever gets to us. But we must be smart enough and willing to look for solutions. Philippians 4:6-7 tells us, “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 minds in Christ Jesus.” But being human, we seem to have a problem believing. We accept issues and turn simple worries into more prominent and significant problems.
“Stress is a natural response to uncertainty. When we’re in a new situation or facing confusing circumstances, it’s normal to feel worried about what the future may hold. These feelings help us anticipate what may come and may even motivate us. In small amounts, stress can be beneficial. When that stress becomes chronic, however, we may start to see negative effects on our mental and physical well-being. Worrying too much can also cause us to avoid the things we find stressful, which can worsen anxiety. People who worry chronically may also perceive things differently from others. They may anticipate that negative things will happen more often and may show a heightened response to real and perceived threats.” (Ankrom, 2024)
First Corinthians 10:13 states, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation, he will also provide a way of escape that you may be able to endure.” We all know that the future will take care of itself, but we still insist on worrying. Not knowing what to expect is troublesome and causes fear. Change causes anxiety and takes us away from our comfort zone. Many unexpected situations catch us off guard, which is even more difficult. Being unprepared and out of control makes us make mistakes and causes even more worries. Allowing these feelings to take over will hold us back from the life we all want. Fear and worry ruin many lives and keep successful individuals from achieving their potential. We all enjoy being comfortable and relaxed, but this can lead to complacency, which causes individuals to become dull and stagnant. Being afraid of new experiences can cause people to miss many opportunities to improve themselves. The old saying “nothing ventured, nothing gained” is very accurate. We are reminded to take care of today and worry about tomorrow when it arrives. Matthew 6:34 states, “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”
Ankrom, S. (2024, 2 5). How to Stop Worrying About the Future. Retrieved from Verywellmind: https://www.verywellmind.com/are-you-worrying-too-much-2584124