“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
–Matthew 6:34
Annotation: Jesus teaches us not to be consumed by worry over future uncertainties but to focus on today’s challenges.
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Note: This verse calls us to live in the present and trust God for tomorrow.
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This verse comes from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7), where He teaches about how to live faithfully in the kingdom of God. Let’s break down what this passage means:
1. "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow"
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Jesus is urging His followers not to be anxious or overly concerned about what will happen in the future. Worrying about what’s coming tomorrow (or in the future) is unproductive and often causes unnecessary stress.
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The word "worry" in this context refers to undue concern or anxiety about the future, which can take our focus off God’s provision in the present. Jesus is encouraging His followers to trust God with the future rather than becoming consumed with fear or uncertainty.
2. "For tomorrow will worry about itself"
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Jesus uses a kind of humorous or poetic phrasing to show that tomorrow’s worries are, in a sense, outside our control. Tomorrow will have its own set of challenges, and it's pointless to try and solve them today. Each day brings its own difficulties, and worrying about what might happen tomorrow will not prevent future troubles or improve the outcome.
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The phrase suggests that tomorrow’s concerns should be left to God’s care just as today’s concerns are. The implication is that we should live with a focus on the present, trusting God to provide for both today and tomorrow.
3. "Each day has enough trouble of its own."
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This statement is a realistic acknowledgment that life will always have challenges, difficulties, or troubles. Every day has its own set of problems, and it’s wise to focus on dealing with today’s concerns rather than being overwhelmed by what might happen tomorrow.
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Jesus is saying that we don’t need to add to our stress by worrying about things that haven’t even happened yet. Each day has enough demands, and trying to handle them all at once can lead to burnout or unnecessary anxiety.
Overall Meaning:
In this verse, Jesus is teaching about living in the present moment and trusting God for the future. He encourages us to focus on what we can control today—our actions, attitudes, and faith—rather than spending our time worrying about what might happen in the future, which is often out of our hands. Worrying about tomorrow robs us of peace today and doesn’t change the outcome of future events. God is in control of tomorrow, and He will provide what we need when the time comes.
Application for Believers:
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Live in the present: Jesus encourages us to focus on the here and now, dealing with the challenges of today, and trusting that God will help us with what’s ahead when the time comes.
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Trust in God’s provision: Jesus is teaching us to trust in God’s care, provision, and sovereignty over all our circumstances. God knows our needs and will provide for us, both today and in the future (Matthew 6:25-33).
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Avoid unnecessary anxiety: While it’s natural to think ahead or plan for the future, excessive worrying about things that may never happen can harm our mental and emotional well-being. Jesus calls us to live with faith and trust rather than fear and anxiety.
Summary:
Matthew 6:34 teaches us not to let worry about the future dominate our thoughts or actions. Instead, we are called to focus on the present, trusting that God will handle tomorrow. Each day comes with its own set of challenges, but we are assured that God’s provision and care are sufficient for today and will continue into the future. By trusting God, we free ourselves from the burden of worry and experience His peace in the present.
Additional Information:
Read the full chapter and find more resources at biblegateway.com (external site)>>
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Next - 1 Peter 5:7 (Anxious)>>
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