This morning I was struck by the thought that I add enormously to my stress load each day by piling on stress from yesterday and tomorrow. In fact, it occurred to me I typically carry stress from many yesterdays and many tomorrows into each and every day.

Disappointments and unfinished projects from the past haunt me with regrets and thoughts of what might have been. Future projects and responsibilities of the days and weeks ahead loom great and become overwhelming. 

The simple joys I might have experienced today are crushed under the load of yesterday’s frustrations. The simple task list I might easily have accomplished today gets lost in the sea of everything still out in front of me that needs to be done. Under the weight of burdens that have little to do with the here and now, today’s few hours get squeezed out, and I become joyless, grouchy and ineffective.

Jesus tells us to pray: “Give us today our daily bread.” He also says, ” . . . do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:11,34 NIV)

I can learn from yesterday, and I should plan for tomorrow, but I need to start living in the present. Today is manageable by itself. And when it is not, I know God’s grace is sufficient minute by minute. The LORD has been there in the past. He will still be there in the future. But the Great I AM is willing to meet me wherever I am right now.

THIS is the day the LORD has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it!