The Problem with Weather Forecasts

With a title like that, you might think I’m about to launch into a rant about how unreliable weather predictions can be (no offense to the meteorologists out there). But that’s not where I’m going with this.

Weather forecasts, helpful as they are, have an unintended side effect. They subtly shift our focus—from today to tomorrow, from the present to what’s ahead.

Just imagine – you wake up, and the first thing you do is check the 10-day forecast. In doing so, what are we really training ourselves to do?

We’re training our minds to live in “what’s next” instead of “what’s now.” And it’s not just weather forecasts. It could be our calendars, our to-do lists, or even the constant scroll of news and updates. The pattern is the same: our gaze is drawn to what’s coming, and we risk overlooking the gift of the present moment.

Jesus knew this tendency in us. That’s why He gave us the wisdom we find in Matthew 6:34:

“Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself.”

He invites us to trust Him with the unknowns of the future and to focus instead on what’s before us right now. When we do that, we open our eyes to the blessings, the challenges, and the opportunities He has for us today.

So, the next time you’re tempted to check the forecast—or your planner—pause for a moment. Look around. What is God showing you right here, right now?