Each Day Brings Its Own Joys
Matthew 6:34 says, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
That may not sound like a verse about joy to you, but it does to me! I’m not sure exactly when I started to look at this verse from another angle, but it has become an encouragement to stop and breathe in thankfulness.
The “today has enough trouble of its own” concept has always seemed to me like “buck up sweetheart, solve today’s difficulties before you even think about what is coming up ahead.” That is true, of course, but like many things in life, if one thing is true then the converse is true also. If today will come ready-made with troubles, it will most likely also contain joy. If I concentrate too much on what is coming ahead, especially when things seem to be going wrong, I will miss that joy.
Life is a mixture of joy and sorrow. There are days full of so much happiness that, for a moment, I can barely consider anything else, and there are seasons in life when the sorrow completely overshadows the tiniest glimmer of joy. Even in its “Margaret Translation” this verse doesn’t mean “put on a happy face.” It reminds me that most days come with a mixture of joy and sorrow, fear and optimism, dread and expectation. And when I focus too much on what is coming next and don’t grab onto today I’ll miss it.
Over the years, both of my children have battled serious illnesses. Those were dark days, full of fear and shadows. I’m embarrassed to say that it was my terror of things only getting worse that lit Matthew 6:34 up for me as a reason to stop and notice God’s mercies around the edges. It was then that I began to speak this over myself outloud: “today is full of troubles and joys all its own.”
If I don’t pay attention, I will not only miss what God is trying to teach me in the uncertainties of life, but I am also in danger of running straight past his kindness and generosity to me.
Reflect:
What am I missing because I’m so focused on what lies ahead? What are the joys of today that I will only find if I stop to look for them?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Margaret Mayes and her husband Gary have been a part of Novo for 26 years. The bulk of their work was in ChurchNEXT. They’ve now retired and are considered Emeritus staff. The Mayes live in Gilbert, Arizona, happily near their children and grandchildren.
