Oh my goodness, how I loved my three older brothers. With a number of years between us, I looked up to them like heroes, as if the sun rose and set in their background. And in spite of being paid to eat raw sparrow eggs and earnings gained per electric fence shock, they were the best brothers a little sister could ask for. 
That’s why when my oldest brother left for college he left behind him a puddle of distraught tears. As my brothers became adults and peeled away from the farm, I found my little self inconsolable. So much so, that on their visits back, dread of their leaving again swallowed up my joy. I marred long anticipated reunions with a mental countdown of their departures.
The disciples suffered a bit of the same when Jesus talked to them about going away. They didn’t understand what He meant or why He had to go, but His words grieved them. They felt the separation even before it happened.
“In a little while you will see me no more,” Jesus told them.
They discussed these words He’d said. They huddled and wondered,“What does He mean? Where is He going? Why can’t we go too?”
John 16 tells the story of perplexed disciples who grieved because of the announcement of Jesus’ going. They heard with their ears it would be a good thing, that joy waited after grief, and a promised Comforter would come. But their troubled minds and troubled hearts held the cloudy uncertainty of a someday parting ahead.
But Jesus told His worried followers something else, something almost unnoticed in the script, yet today when I need it, I find comfort in His words.
“I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear.” John 16:12 NIV
They didn’t have to bear all the sorrow quite yet. Even though He knew what would happen, Jesus didn’t place into their hands all the burdens ahead. He unveiled his future death and departure with wisdom and tenderness, within the parameters of what his disciples could bear.
In the wait, Jesus helped them anchor themselves in the One trustworthy for each and every day. He strengthened their faith then for later. When the time did come for the disciples to bear Jesus’ death, weakness turned to power, grief to joy, and the whole world turned upside down.
Does your imagination fly ahead to places you don’t need to yet visit like mine does? Fearful, panicky scenes? When my mind flies into tomorrow’s anxieties, the Apostle Paul’s words in Philippians 4:8 remind me to harness my thoughts, to think the way God desires.
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Phil. 4:8 NIV
Where are your thoughts taking you today?
“Whatever is true,” halts “what ifs.” Truth restores joy and balance to a heart in shambles. For the mind trained to meditate on what is true, focus on unknowns fades.
Like a little girl who cries in her room because she misses her brother although he hasn’t yet left, I am prone it to allow worry about tomorrow to snuff out the joy of today. Have you ever found yourself in that same quagmire?
Heavy tomorrows can wait for tomorrow. There is much to be grateful for today.
Jesus’ words, “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear,” hold sweetness. They remind me if Jesus cared about how difficult his follower’s burdens were, surely He cares about mine too. Heavy tomorrows can wait for tomorrow. There is much to be grateful for today. Share on X
Wendy COLVIN
Thank you for your message! I’ve always been a positive person but as I age (74) and find myself fearful of immobility (arthritis has started) and/or Alzheimer’s (my husband has very advanced Az), I need this wisdom.
Sylvia Schroeder
Yes Wendy. I find I have new fears as I get older as well. There are different aspects I’d not truly considered before which seem to pull my focus from Jesus. I appreciate you sharing your thoughts and experiences. I’m so grateful we have Someone faithful in every age and stage of life. Thanks Wendy for weighing in.
Don Pahl
Your words, Sylvia, remind me of Jesus’ words In Matthew 6:34: “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”
… another reason to not carry tomorrow’s burdens today!
Sylvia Schroeder
What a great verse to connect to Don. Thanks for bringing it to our attention. It fits perfectly, and a great reminder not to carry tomorrow’s burdens today.
Rebecca Powell
Love the encouragement to enjoy each day without adding on tomorrow’s burdens which may not even materialize. He gives us grace and help for today’s needs…in that we can rejoice. 💕
Sylvia Schroeder
Thanks Rebecca. It’s something I suppose we all know, to not add tomorrow’s burdens onto today’s, but I seem to be on a continual learning curve with it! I love hearing from you. Thanks for responding!
Katherine Pasour
We have much to be grateful for–God gives infinite blessings, but still the worry creeps in. Although we sometimes fear the unknown, what we do know is that our Savior is with us through every trial. Praying for you.
Sylvia Schroeder
It is such a discipline to be grateful. You are right, God gives infinite blessings. Remembering this truth changes so much and refocuses how I go through trials. Thank you for your prayers Katherine and this reminder!
Nancy E. Head
“Heavy tomorrows can wait for tomorrow. There is much to be grateful for today.”
Thanks for this great wisdom in these challenging days, Sylvia. God bless!
Sylvia Schroeder
Thank you Nancy.
Jeannie Waters
Sylvia, I find it easy to “borrow troubles” from the future. Your post showed me that means I’ll bear the burdens over and over again. That’s not God’s way for us. Thank you for biblical promises we can depend on. Our God is faithful.
Sylvia Schroeder
Thank you Jeannie. I do the borrowing as well. As you said, “Our God is faithful.” And He is. Thanks for adding your thoughts.
Nancy Speizer
Thank you, Jesus for not telling me everything all at once and for bearing the future for me!
I love that photo of you and your brothers on that old car. What a wonderful growing up you must’ve had on your farm. 🙂
(The electric fence shocks may explain a few things! 🤣)
Sylvia Schroeder
Thanks Nancy. Yes…the electric fence may explain a few things.
Candyce
I used to experience the same “anxiety separation “ when my son was home on leave from the military. As a result, I didn’t enjoy his visits as much as I should have.
Good reminder to not rob myself of joy in the now by worrying about the future.
Sylvia Schroeder
I so appreciate you sharing similar experiences when your son was home on leave. It is easy to miss present joy with worry about what might happen. It’s a lesson I do wish I didn’t have to keep relearning! Thanks for weighing in Candyce!
JD Wininger
How true; there’s nothing ever as heavy as the unknown. Another great post Ms. Sylvia; and an important reminder that we only have to carry today, and we don’t have to do that alone.
Sylvia schroeder
I appreciate the way you said that J.D. “Nothing ever as heavy as the unknown.” So true. Thanks for reading. I always appreciate your responses.
Sharon
Thank you Sylvia!
Sylvia schroeder
Thank you Sharon!