Anxiety is a pervasive problem according to the testimony of Scripture. In Matthew 6 Jesus probes the issue. Birds, grass, and flowers are utilized as illustrations to demonstrate the uselessness of anxiety. Anxiety yields nothing and yet costs so much.
Jesus tells us that anxiety is so worthless because it adds hypothetical trouble to the real trouble of today. Look at this text, which serves as a summary to this entire unit of teaching. “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (Matt 6:34).
Tomorrow does not merit our anxiety today. The troubles of tomorrow need to be experienced tomorrow. This is not easy, hence the need for instructions and imperatives. The text is quite clear on what today holds. Trouble is to be expected, it is practically guaranteed. The wisdom in this passage is two-fold.
First, it equips us with biblical realism. Along with our daily bread we expect our daily trouble. This trouble points us to our need for daily grace and mercy (a theme to be covered on the next post). Second, it advises us of the folly of bringing tomorrow’s trouble into today. The wise path is to engage today and leave tomorrow to itself. The problems we face today are “sufficient” for us. We need no trouble beyond our daily trouble.