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It has been well said that no man ever sank under the burden of the day. It is, when tomorrow's burden is added to the burden of today, that the weight is more than a man can bear. Never load yourselves so, my friends. If you find yourselves so loaded, at least remember this: it is your own doing, not God's. He begs you to leave the future to Him, and mind the present.
George Macdonald
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote emphasizes the importance of living in the present and not overwhelming oneself with future worries.

George Macdonald's quote highlights that the burdens of today are often manageable, but when we start to worry about tomorrow's challenges as well, they can become overwhelming. He advises that we should focus on the present and not take on excessive burdens unnecessarily, as these additional worries are often self-imposed rather than ordained by a higher power.

Themes

BurdenPresentFutureWorrySelf-ImposedWisdom

In practice

Example use cases

During a motivational talk about stress management, one could use this quote to encourage people to focus on the present.

More from George Macdonald

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He may delay because it would not be safe to give us at once what we ask: we are not ready for it. To give ere we could truly receive, would be to destroy the very heart and hope of prayer, to cease to be our Father. The delay itself may work to bring us nearer to our help, to increase the desire, perfect the prayer, and ripen the receptive condition.
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When I can no more stir my soul to move, and life is but the ashes of a fire; when I can but remember that my heart once used to live and love, long and aspire- O, be thou then the first, the one thou art; be thou the calling, before all answering love, and in me wake hope, fear, boundless desire.
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But words are vain; reject them all— They utter but a feeble part: Hear thou the depths from which they call, The voiceless longing of my heart.
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Few delights can equal the presence of one whom we trust utterly.
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