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

Matthew 6:34 (NIV)

In 1812, a devastating fire destroyed twelve years’ worth of Bible translation work for William Carey. Bibles, manuscripts, dictionaries, grammars, and printing presses—all gone. Legend has it that upon learning of the news, instead of despairing, he knelt and thanked God that he still had the strength to do the work over again. Before his death, he had duplicated and even improved on his earlier achievements.

Poet Annie Johnson Flint captures the spirit that infuses the soul of people like William Carey. She reminds us:

God hath not promised skies always blue,

Flower-strewn pathways all our lives through;

God hath not promised sun with out rain,

Joy without sorrow, peace without pain.

But God hath promised strength for the day,

Rest for the labor, light for the way;

Grace for the trials, help from above,

Unfailing sympathy, undying love.

Is there something you are facing today that is tempting you to despair? Something overwhelming and staggering? Focus not on the immense problems before you, but on the Lord’s presence in your life. His grace is sufficient. He will give you strength for the day, and that is enough.