Many times the struggles I have deal with fear and worry. This week my chiropractor sent out a message with this poem in it:
“There are two days in every week
About which we should not worry,
Two days which should be kept free
From fear and apprehension
One of these days is "Yesterday"
With its mistakes and cares,
Its faults and blunders,
Its aches and pains.
Yesterday has passed forever beyond our control.
All the money in the world could not bring back Yesterday.
We cannot undo a single act we performed;
We cannot erase a single word we said.
Yesterday is gone.
The other word we should not worry about is Tomorrow
With its possible adversities, its burdens,
its large promise and poor performance.
Tomorrow is also beyond our immediate control.
Tomorrow's sun will rise, either in splendor or
Behind a mask of clouds, but it will rise.
Until it does we have no stake in Tomorrow,
For it is unborn.
This leaves only one day, "Today",
And anyone can fight the battles of just one day.
It is only when you and I add the burdens or those
awful eternities, Yesterday, and Tomorrow, that we break down.
It is not the experience of today that drives people mad,
It is the remorse and bitterness for something
which happened Yesterday and the dread of what
Tomorrow may bring.
Let us, therefore, live but one day at a time.”
-Author unknown-
As I read it, I began to see the Biblical point from Matthew more clearly. Matthew 6:34 says,
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
If we mourn our past mistakes and failures and refuse to release ourselves, we cannot be living abundantly in the Lord. There’s no way that having a poor attitude towards ourselves honors our Heavenly Father. If we swing the pendulum the other way, stressing over the future robs us of “our today” and steals our joy. Likewise, this focus cannot bring glory to God. Quite possibly, both scenarios can make us physically and emotionally sick.
Our challenge is simply our focus. Spending a few minutes thanking God for His blessings each morning is a wonderful attitude adjuster. In addition to that, putting one foot in front of the other and living for God with the idea that it’s just for that one day will center our thoughts to a Kingdom lens.
My Prayer: God, help me let go of the mistakes of the past and anxieties of the future. I know that you have commanded me to worry only about today. I repent of the many times I have failed to obey. Thank you that my past and future are all covered with the blood of Jesus. Holy Spirit, remind me when my thoughts stray to that of guilt or anxiety. I choose, Lord, to live abundantly each day. In Jesus name!
