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How to overcome fear (4)

How to overcome fear (4)

08 August 2018
‘Don’t worry about tomorrow.’

Yesterday and tomorrow both clamour for our attention. Yesterday wants us to second-guess our decisions and worry if we did the right thing. That’s wasted energy. As President Harry Truman said, ‘If you’ve done the best you can – if you’ve done what you have to do – there’s no use worrying about it because nothing can change it.’ And tomorrow can also cause you to miss opportunities. Let’s face it, most people arrive at a different destination in life than what they expected – some better, some worse, but all different. So focusing on the destination isn’t necessarily a good idea. Besides, tomorrow may come, or it may not. There are no guarantees. Jesus said, ‘Don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.’ Jesus was talking to people who were worried about having the basic necessities in life, like food and clothes. And He said to them, ‘Don’t worry about these things…your heavenly Father already knows all your needs’ (v. 31-32 NLT). The only place you really have any power – is in the present. Do what you can in the here and now despite your fear, and you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing you’re doing everything within your power to reach your potential. If you project too far into the future, you’ll suffer from the ‘what ifs?’ and your fears will run wild. American author Mark Twain quipped, ‘I’ve been through some horrible things in my life – a few of which actually happened!’ Give your past and your future to God and live your life one day at a time, trusting Him. That’s how you overcome fear.

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Copyright © Bob and Debby Gass. Used by permission.