In a
radio interview, a basketball superstar was asked about his knack for making
the game-winning shot in crucial situations. The reporter asked how he was able
to be so calm in such pressure-packed moments. His answer was that he tried to
simplify the situation. “You only have to make one shot,” the player replied.
One shot. That is the essence of simplifying a difficult situation. Focus only
on what is in front of you right now. Don’t worry about the expectations of
your coach or teammates. Simplify.
Recognizing
that the challenges of life can be both overwhelming and suffocating, Jesus
urged us to take matters in hand by simplifying. He said, “Do not worry about
tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day
is its own trouble” (Matt. 6:34). This was His wise conclusion to His teaching on
the debilitating power of worry. Worry doesn’t accomplish anything positive; it
just adds to the sense that we are drowning in the troubles we are facing. We
must take things as they come—one day at a time—and trust Him for the wisdom
to respond properly.
If you feel overwhelmed by life, do what you can today and then entrust the rest to Him. As Jesus said, “Each day has enough trouble of its own” (NIV).
We lose the joy of living in the present
when we worry about the future. (RBC)
