The Power of Presence

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

-Matthew 6:34

Worry is a thief. It sneaks into our minds, dragging us into a future that hasn’t happened, pulling us away from the life we’re meant to live right now. It whispers lies: You’re not ready. You need to fix this. What if something goes wrong? But Jesus’ words cut through the noise: “Do not worry about tomorrow.”

At first, this feels impossible. How do we not worry when life feels uncertain? But Jesus isn’t asking us to ignore the realities of life—He’s inviting us to release the illusion of control. Tomorrow doesn’t belong to us; it belongs to God. What belongs to us is this moment, this breath, this opportunity to meet Him here.

Releasing the Weight of Tomorrow
I’ve spent seasons of my life consumed by worry—about my health, my relationships, my future. I thought if I could plan well enough, work hard enough, or anticipate every problem, I could somehow protect myself. But no amount of worrying gave me peace. It wasn’t until I began surrendering my “what-ifs” to God that I realized peace isn’t found in answers. It’s found in trust.

When I was in the depths of alcoholism, there were days when my world had shrunk to a single point: survive this moment, but first, I need a drink for this. The future felt too overwhelming to face. In those moments of stillness from the despair of self-pacifying, I began to understand something profound. God wasn’t asking me to carry the weight of tomorrow. He was simply asking me to walk with Him today.

The Gift of Now
Presence isn’t just about being mindful—it’s about being willing to meet God in the here and now. It’s letting go of the rush to figure everything out and allowing yourself to be fully in this moment, trusting that grace is sufficient for today.

Ask yourself:

• What worries about tomorrow are weighing on my heart?
• How can I release them to God and embrace the now?

Practices for Presence

1. Pause to Pray: When anxiety rises, take a moment to breathe and say, “God, I give this to You. Help me trust You with tomorrow.”
2. Refocus Your Senses: Notice what’s around you—the colors, the sounds, the sensations. Let yourself anchor in the present.
3. Celebrate the Small: Gratitude brings us back to now. What small joys can you name in this moment?

An Invitation
This season, as life speeds up, let’s slow down. Let’s stop chasing peace in the future and find it here, in today. Let’s trust that tomorrow is already held in hands far more capable than ours.

Today, let’s be present—not perfect, not prepared for every possibility—just present. Because in the gift of now, we find all the grace we need.