I have a worrier’s heart. It’s a weakness in me. I think I was born this way. My wife generally does not worry. It’s a strength in her. I think she was born that way. I think more people are like me than like my wife. Because of my mental proclivity to worry, I have to discipline my mind and control my thoughts. I find it’s easier for me to do when I’m consistently in God’s Word every day and all day. It guides me to think divine viewpoint and to prioritize God’s Word.
As Christians, God’s Word directs us not to worry about the future (Prov 12:25; Matt 6:25-34; Luke 12:22-31), to “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Phil 4:6), and to “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Pet 5:7). This requires divine viewpoint thinking, disciplined mental focus, and a will to live by faith rather than succumbing to worry. It requires believers to “Watch over your heart with all diligence” (Pro 4:23a), to “destroy speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor 10:5), and to “keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God” (Col 3:1).
Jesus instructed His disciples, saying, “Do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matt 6:34). This directive is relevant for all God’s people, for it is common for many to worry about the future. This verse, spoken as part of the Sermon on the Mount, encourages us to focus on living in the present rather than being consumed with anxiety about the future. The core of this teaching is that God, in His sovereignty, is already at work in the future and will provide for our needs in due time. Worrying about tomorrow is futile because it cannot change the future, and it only adds unnecessary stress to the challenges we face today.
Jesus acknowledges that “each day has enough trouble of its own,” and directs us to focus on the present and trust that God will handle the unknowns ahead. This teaching addresses the mental and emotional burdens that often arise when we anticipate problems or uncertainties in the future. Issues like health, finances, or relationships can overwhelm us, leading to psychological and emotional instability, but Jesus invites us to release those worries and trust in His provision.
The phrase “tomorrow will care for itself” informs us that God is the ultimate provider, and He is not surprised or caught off guard by the needs of the future. We are called to trust in His faithfulness to meet our needs when the time comes. Just as God provided manna for the Israelites each day in the wilderness (Ex 16:4), He promises to provide what we need for today. This teaching encourages us to rely on God’s daily grace, rather than being weighed down by concerns about what lies ahead.
By trusting in God’s provision and focusing on the present, we can achieve psychological and emotional stability. Instead of allowing worry to dominate our thoughts and emotions, we can choose to live by faith, embrace the present moment, and rely on God’s care for the future. In doing so, we experience His peace and strength, assured that He will provide for our needs both today and in the days to come.
What About Wise Preparation?
But is there a difference between worrying and wise preparation for the future? Yes. There is a difference. Worrying about tomorrow is characterized by anxiety and fear, often driven by uncertainty and a lack of trust in God’s provision. It involves excessive concern about future problems or potential outcomes, to the point that it becomes a mental and emotional burden. Worry is often irrational and can be driven by a sense of helplessness or a desire to control the uncontrollable. It leads to stress, mental exhaustion, depression, and a sense of being paralyzed or unable to act effectively in the present. Jesus directs us not to be anxious about what might happen tomorrow because it cannot change anything and often creates unnecessary distress (Matt 6:34). This requires obedience and discipline of mind.
Wise preparation for the future, on the other hand, is marked by prudence and responsibility. It involves making plans based on sound judgment, taking into account potential challenges, and considering how best to address them. Wise preparation is grounded in trust in God’s sovereignty and provision, recognizing that while we plan, we ultimately rely on God for the outcome. Solomon wrote, “The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD” (Prov 16:1). Wise planning is proactive, born not out of fear but from a desire to be a good steward of the resources, time, and opportunities God gives us. Solomon wrote, “The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage” (Prov 21:5a). The person who wants to build something will “first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it” (Luke 14:28b). This is wise planning. Wisdom involves thoughtful, intentional action, not anxious fretting over things we cannot control.
In summary, worrying about tomorrow focuses on potential and often inflated imaginary problems that generate fear, whereas wise preparation for the future involves careful planning and responsible action, done with a mindset of trust in God’s control over our circumstances. Worry steals from the present and often leads to psychological and emotional instability, while wise preparation enables us to think and live confidently in the present, secure in the knowledge that God is ultimately in control of our future.
Dr. Steven R. Cook
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Let’s not be those who allow worry, riches, or the pleasures of life to choke the Word of God so that it bears no fruit in our lives, both within and without. Rather, “Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God” (Col 3:16). And when the pressures of life begin to mount, be wise and cast “all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you” (1 Pet 5:7), and “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Phi 4:6), and “Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, ‘I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you.’” (Heb 13:5)