“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:25-34, NIV

The countdown to spring break. The countdown to the end of the month. The countdown to the last day of school. The countdown to Friday.

I’ll bet that if you started to keep track, more than half of your weekly conversations with colleagues would include someone mentioning some form of countdown, usually intended as an encouragement to everyone listening to just “hold on” until that “light at the end of the tunnel” moment when school pauses or ends. It seems we are constantly counting down, tracking the days, looking ahead, and planning for the glorious “someday” we are looking forward to.

I admit that I usually need that countdown just as much as the next person to “make it through” particularly challenging times (like the week before school lets out, when kids are hyped up, behaviors are maxed out, and teachers are burned out…). What the Bible has to say on this topic is more complex.

Yes, we should live looking forward to the glorious someday of the new Heaven and the new Earth. Yes, it is wise to steward the resources we have been given on Earth to plan for the future with prudence. But the Bible also tells us to hold the things of this world lightly and not be anxious for anything. God knows what we need, and He gives us our daily bread…not our monthly or yearly bread. 

So, when you find yourself in the mindset of “just holding on,” rest in the assurance that just as God proved His faithfulness to the Israelites by providing exactly what they needed each day for 40 years, He is that same God today for you! He knows your needs, even as they change. He is our provider, and He is faithful. Thank Him for today’s manna, and don’t worry about tomorrow’s. Tomorrow He will be here, too.

Jehovah Jireh, You are our faithful provider. Lord, thank You for Your faithfulness throughout the ages to Your people. Thank You for Your kindness and Your goodness, and for caring for us. Thank You for knowing and wanting to attend to our daily needs. Lord, please protect me from grumbling, complaining, and worrying today. Please soften my heart: may I always be thankful for the manna that You so faithfully provide. When I forget, remind me, Lord. Please help me to lovingly encourage others to remember Your goodness as well. You are such a good, good God, and You are so lavish in Your love for us. Thank You, O Lord our God, King of Heaven. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Copyright Rhapsody Jordan-Parisi. 

Rhapsody is a Christian Educators member and high school English teacher from North Carolina. She is passionate about helping overwhelmed teachers reclaim their time and peace of mind through support, encouragement, and intentional strategies. You can connect with her at tightropeteaching.com.