Here’s How to View Tomorrow, If You Want to Stop Worrying about It

“Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” –Matthew 6:34

I used to have a horrible habit of dreading the following day, especially when it involved going to a job I hated or doing something taxing. The anxiety over the next day would push against my chest like the pressure of the ocean’s depth.

I didn’t want to face the next day, but I had no choice. Not only were my thoughts keeping me centered on the troubles of tomorrow, but I knew I couldn’t control the speed at which time progressed, which only increased my stress.

Many of us struggle with the habit of dreading tomorrow. It stifles us, keeps us stressed and anxious till the time passes.

But one thing I’ve learned is: if I can’t control tomorrow coming, I shouldn’t worry about it either.

It was a difficult habit change to rework my perspective on the next day. The future carries with it so much uncertainty, and I’ve been known to fear the uncertain.

Yet, there was one action I did to keep me positive about the next day. I don’t suggest it’s easy, but it does help.

In reading Matthew 6:34, I realized I missed something so crucial to what Jesus is saying. I tend to focus on the first half of the verse, leaving me to think: of course Jesus can say that. He’s God after all!

I only recently realized that the second half of the verse is Jesus’ practical suggestion for how to not worry about the next day. He says, “Each day has enough trouble of its own”, which really means: be present in this day.

The truth is, we battle anxiety over tomorrow by being present today. The more we delve into the present moment, the less affected we are by a future concern.

Isn’t it silly how we let something we can’t change the timing to affect how we feel days before, and possibly days after? The worry of that day has a finite time period, which means, we shouldn’t extend it into our other days. Jesus sees that, and as His prescription, He suggests we be so present in this day that we don’t let a future moment taint what we have now.

Our culture praises planning your next day and being elsewhere in your thoughts. But I know that the best way to truly enjoy today is to be fully present today.

I used to feel anxiety about the next day, but now I’ve learned that the best way to view tomorrow is to not view it at all.

Photography by Mikaela Hamilton