Scripture in Action

Aneel Aranha is an author, preacher, and evangelist who has spoken to hundreds of thousands of people around the world. You can find a huge selection of his reflections, articles, sermons, songs and other resources on his app.

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Scripture in Action

Matthew 6:28-34 - One Day At A Time

July 14, 2022 • Aneel Aranha • Season 1 • Episode 31

0:00 | 3:54

Jesus asks: "Why do you worry about tomorrow? When tomorrow comes it will bring a new set of worries. Today's troubles are enough for today." I know that sounds a little pessimistic, but it isn't really. Jesus is simply telling us to live a day at a time. And it's a great philosophy.

Matthew 6:28-34 - One Day At A Time

Hello and welcome to the Bite-Sized Gospel with Aneel Aranha. Today we will reflect on Matthew 6:28-34. Listen.

Jesus said: “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

One of my favorite songs is One Day at a Time by Christy Lane, and although I don't like how she starts it by saying, "I'm only human" as though being human was a sad thing, I love the chorus because it contains a beautiful recipe for life. It goes like this: One day at a time, sweet Jesus, that's all that I'm asking from you/Lord, give me the strength to do every day what I have to do/Yesterday's gone sweet Jesus/And tomorrow may never be mine/Lord, help me today, show me the way one day at a time.

Jesus effectively says the same thing today. I paraphrase: "Why do you worry about tomorrow? When tomorrow comes it will bring a new set of worries. Today's troubles are enough for today." I know that sounds a little pessimistic, but it isn't really. Jesus is simply telling us to live a day at a time. And it's a great philosophy.

Here's what you can do to put it into practice. When you go to bed for the night, thank God for the day gone by and close the door on it. It's over. Close the door, especially on the bad things that have happened. Think of it as throwing out the trash.

When you wake up in the morning, thank God for giving you a new day and look forward to the wonderful surprises God has in store for you. You can anticipate great things because he is a great God who likes to do great things. Don't worry too much about what will happen because God will take you through it all. He's brought you so far, hasn't he?

And there is one more thing you can do here. Empty yourself, giving God everything — every talent, every gift, every blessing — telling him to take it all, not because you don't want any of it, but because you want what you need for that day, blessed by him. That way, you don't have to carry surplus weight with you. Try this for a week or two and see how you feel.

May the Spirit be with you.