Anxiety

“So never worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have worries of its own.  Each day has evil enough of its own.”

Williams Translation.

Matthew 6:34

NT WRIGHT rendered this verse; “….tomorrow can worry about itself.  One day’s trouble at a time is quite enough.”

Why are we always surprised at the trouble that come to us when we live in a troubled world.  Jesus assures us, in the world we WILL have troubles BUT we are to be of good cheer for HE has overcome the world and HE shows us how to overcome too.

I find great encouragement in this because as the way, and the truth, and the life, he  knows the path I need to walk on,   And, he knows the way I need to walk it out that will produce HIS life in and through me.

So, we must learn to live in the now moments of time and take life one day at a time.  At the end of each day we want to be confident we have walked thorough it in the way that glorified our Father and caused us to grow.

There is only grace for the moments we are in, now.  Grace is a now commodity.  It doesn’t get stored up.  Faith is a now commodity.  It doesn’t get stored up.  As is every other spiritual dynamic that God has given us in this world to empower.  This is our need for God.  We must come to Him for our daily provision and receive the grace that is sufficient for the moment.

I find it interesting that Jesus said in todays verse, from the ESV, “tomorrow* will be anxious for itself”.

HELPS Word-studies……”anxious”

3309 merimnáō (from 3308 /mérimna, "a part, as opposed to the whole") – properly, drawn in opposite directions; "divided into parts" (A. T. Robertson); (figuratively) "to go to pieces" because pulled apart (in different directions), like the force exerted by sinful anxiety (worry). Positively, 3309 (merimnáō) is used of effectively distributing concern, in proper relation to the whole picture (cf. 1 Cor 12:25; Phil 2:20).

3809 (merimnaō ) is "an old verb for worry and anxiety – literally, to be divided, distracted" (WP, 2, 156). It is more commonly used in this negative sense in the NT.

Ellicott’s Commentary on “Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof:”

—The word rendered “evil” occurs in the Gospels only in this passage, and in the Epistles has commonly the sense of “wickedness.” That meaning would be too strong here; but it reminds us that our Lord is speaking not of what we call the simple accidents or misfortunes of life, but of the troubling element which each day brings with it, and against which we have to contend, lest it should lead us into sin. That conflict is more than enough for the day, without anticipating a further mischief.”

Peter’s epistle reminds us not to think it strange when we are tested but rather knowing that our faith is keeping us connected to the one who shows us how to overcome and overcome well!  We are told in James to count it all joy.   We are admonished to rejoice always.  In everything give thanks.  Pray without ceasing.  To be strong in the Lord and the power of His might- not ours.  All of which have the ability to be lost when we find ourselves in ‘trouble.’

I’m always taken back, when less than my sterling self is displayed in the midst of trouble.  When murmuring and complaining, or even unbelief, begin to show itself, I realize I’m disconnecting from my life source.  I’m unplugging, as it were, operating apart from Jesus with the promise that nothing I do will produce the right fruit He desires. I will ‘exalt Jeanne’ never yields what I really need or truly want.  I am so thankful for the mercies of the Lord that are new each day.  His faithfulness is great and His grace abounds.  That’s why I love early mornings with the opportunities it gives to start each day new!

No matter what we face each day, His grace is sufficient.  Rest assured, tomorrow will bring its own stuff…. BUT we are not to be anxious in, or through, any of it because of the union we keep with Him.  He is the Prince of peace.