While I was driving down the road one day, my daughter was talking to me and telling me about things that were on her mind when something she said really got my attention. She ended the story she had been telling me by saying, “But I guess that’s a yesterday problem.” She continued to talk while I continued to think about what she had said. “But I guess that’s a yesterday problem.” She realized that she couldn’t change what had happened. She knew she couldn’t change what was in the past. This was her way of saying, “I need to let it go because I can’t do anything about it now”.
In the days since she said that, and I kept finding myself going back to what she said. I even asked her about it today and wanted to know if this was an original thought or if she had heard someone say it. She seemed surprised I had remembered it and told me that it was just her thoughts. I then acquired her permission to do what I often do when something like that grabs my attention and “use it in a story”. The reason I think it grabbed my attention like it did was because I know I have carried around a yesterday problem far more often that I care to admit.
How often have I carried around the heavy load from a “yesterday problem” that I should have put down and let go of? A yesterday problem by definition would be one that could only be solved if I could go back to yesterday. Since I have no time travel capabilities, this is impossible, which means that if I can’t do anything about it, I should let it go. I am reminded of the words of Jesus in Matthew 6:34 when He said, “sufficient for the day is its own trouble”. He was saying that each day presents its own troubles, focus on the day ahead of you.
I can’t change the past, and worrying about it won’t do me any good. I need to keep my focus on what matters most and that is trying to do all I can this day to trust and obey God. As my sweet girl said, if it’s a yesterday problem, I need to let it go. I need to quit giving so much time and energy focusing on things I cannot change. I need to keep my focus on what I can do and quit worrying and fretting over things I cannot change. As C.S. Lewis pointed out, I cannot change the past but I can start right now working on a better future.
I can choose to put down the heavy load from yesterday’s problem and trust God to do what only He can do. I can choose to let go of yesterday’s problem and focus on doing what I can do today. I can choose to “seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness” (Matt. 6:33) and let Him handle yesterday’s problems for me. I need to learn to let go of things I cannot change and focus on what I can change. And what is that? The truth is that the only thing I can change is today. I can determine to make today a better day. I can determine to work on me.
I can’t change yesterday but with God’s help, I can change today by seeking Him and the things that matter most. I can focus on doing all I can to grow more like Him with each passing day. I can choose to get in His Word and let it work on me as I choose to not only read it but also to live out its truths in my life. Choosing to live in complete surrender to Him will help to ensure that I am focusing on what matters most. It will also help me to find it easier to trust Him and not let yesterday’s problems have such a hold on me anymore.
When I focus on doing what I can and trusting Him to do what I cannot do, I release myself from worrying so much about things I cannot change. When I choose trust, I am free to leave it all in His care. When I choose to walk by faith and not let yesterday’s problems weigh me down, I find peace. Beloved, yesterday is a heavy burden to carry. It is a weight we were never meant to carry. Perhaps it is time for us to put it down. Perhaps it is time to realize how many yesterday’s problems we are carrying and decide to let go of them. Let go and let God, dear heart. He can handle it better anyways.
Stop worrying about things you cannot change. Stop fretting over things you cannot undo. Stop being consumed with the “if onlys”. Stop letting the enemy torment you with what can only be described as a yesterday problem. Remember, a yesterday problem is a problem you cannot change or do anything about. Give all your yesterday problems to God and choose to trust Him with them. Give Him your yesterday problems and let Him give you His peace instead, my friend. Focus on what you can change. Focus on pleasing Him and let Him worry about yesterday’s problems.
Casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
Katrina Douglas
