Having enjoyed Josh Wilson's previous hit songs, "3 Minute Song," "Savior, Please," "Before the Morning," "I Refuse," "Fall Apart," "Carry Me," and "That Was Then, This is Now," I was excited to hear his latest hit song "Borrow (One Day at a Time)" from Wilson's seventh studio album, Don't Look Back EP  With a probing spiritual curiosity and imaginative, self-examining lyrics, the album solidifies Wilson's place among the finest song crafters of his day. 

Josh's poignant songwriting is coupled with musical excellence as each song urges me to better see God. This album is sure to connect with all listeners who like catchy songs filled with truth and yearning for God. Josh invites you into his life in such an authentic and relatable way, you'll feel like you are a lifelong friend after you hear this album. He writes about themes that cause me to hang on every word he sings and this song is no exception. This album once again exhibits Wilson's gift of relating the challenges of life and the need for a Savior like no one else.

"Borrow (One Day at a Time)" is Wilson's latest radio single. Don't Look Back EP shows the complete breadth of Josh's songwriting from the celebratory pop-driven track "Dream Small" to the encouraging and empowering anthem "Don't Look Back." I had the chance to speak with Josh about "Borrow (One Day at a Time)."
 
Please tell me the personal story behind this song.

I always try to write from my own experience, and I've always found that the more honest and vulnerable I can be, the more I can connect with the listener. My ultimate goal is for people to say, "me too" when they hear my songs. I want to give words and a voice to people who have gone through similar things and for people to feel like they could have written the song when they listen to it. For this song, I based it on my own story and I was on a writing retreat. We had written a song the day before, and we started this song after I heard someone use the phrase, "don't borrow trouble," which essentially means today has enough trouble of its own, so there's no need to borrow any from tomorrow. We don't need to borrow more trouble from the future and pile it on top of what we are currently dealing with.

It reminded me of what Jesus tells us in Matthew chapter 6, when He says, "Do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself." Part of me thinks that is why God designed us to sleep because we can only handle so much in one day. There's new mercy every morning. I feel that each day. We decided to put that concept into a song. Honestly, I'm just preaching to myself in this song. Jesus reminds instead to seek first the kingdom of God. So whether you deal with anxiety, doubt, addiction, depression, or any other struggle, I invite you to join me in seeking first the Kingdom of God, one day at a time.

Which Bible verses connect to the message of the song?

Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV): "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Matthew 6:31-34 (VOICE): "So do not consume yourselves with questions: What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear? Outsiders make themselves frantic over such questions; they don't realize that your heavenly Father knows exactly what you need.  Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and then all these things will be given to you too. So do not worry about tomorrow. Let tomorrow worry about itself. Living faithfully is a large enough task for today."

Matthew 11:28-30 (MSG): "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to Me. Get away with Me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with Me and work with Me--watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with Me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."

What is the takeaway message?

Eighth grade was a particularly hard year for me so that's how I started this song. I deal with a lot of anxiety, and I have ever since I was a kid. I've even had seasons of suffering from debilitating panic attacks. My anxiety often comes in waves, and some weeks are worse than others, so I never know when it will hit the hardest. What I do know is that God has been faithful to carry me through every anxious moment, every panic attack, and every difficult scenario I wasn't sure how to handle. I think God gives us what we need each day and we need to take it one day at a time.

I'm finding that this song resonates with many people in the recovery community, as the mantra for those who struggle with addiction is "one day at a time." Even if we don't struggle with addiction to a substance or negative behavior, "one day at a time" is not a bad motto for any person of faith. Jesus never promised us life would be easy. In fact, He said in this world we will have trouble. But right after that, He reminds us that He has overcome the world. So even though I still deal with anxiety, I put my trust in the One who has overcome the world, knowing that He is with me in every dark moment, through every high and every low.

Lyrics:
One day, one day at a time, say
One day, one day at a time, say

Sometimes I feel just like I did in the 8th grade
All alone, insecure, and so very afraid
Seems like everybody else they got it figured out
While I'm stuck here
In another nervous breakdown
Life crashes like a panic attack
The fear of the future breaks me in half
I try so hard but it's a losing fight
I fake a smile in the day
And fall apart at night

I'm lying awake cause I just can't sleep
I toss and I turn but can't find no peace
I keep praying to God, He keeps telling me
Don't worry, don't worry

Don't borrow no trouble from tomorrow
You'll only double your sorrow
You'll only worry your mind
Don't borrow no trouble from tomorrow
If you're gonna learn to follow
You gotta take it
One day, one day at a time, say
One day, one day at a time, say
One day, one day at a time, say

I wanna learn to hold my life a little looser
Live in the moment instead of in the future
Let tomorrow worry about itself
And be here right now, trust all is well

Cause the flowers and birds
They don't worry a bit
And a good God takes good care of them
And He loves you and me so much more than this
So don't worry, don't worry

Don't borrow no trouble from tomorrow
You'll only double your sorrow
You'll only worry your mind
Don't borrow no trouble from tomorrow
If you're gonna learn to follow
You gotta take it
One day, one day at a time, say
One day, one day at a time, say
One day, one day at a time, say

To the weary moms and worn out dads
And the middle school kid
Who's always picked last
You gotta take it, you gotta take it
One day at a time

To the downcast and doubters
And misfits like me
To the addicts who are fighting through recovery
You gotta take it, you gotta take it
One day at a time

To the struggling saints on the narrow road
When you're anxious
Depressed and feeling alone
You gotta take it, you gotta take it
One day at a time

To all of God's children
Let's never forget
We're forgiven and free
But we are not home yet
We gotta take it, we gotta take it
One day, one day, one day

Don't borrow no trouble from tomorrow
You'll only double your sorrow
You'll only worry your mind
Don't borrow no trouble from tomorrow
If you're gonna learn to follow
You gotta take it
One day, one day at a time, say
One day, one day at a time, say
One day, one day at a time, say 

Closing Thoughts

We should not be ashamed to sing of our dependence on God and to show Him reverence. What are those things in your life that are beyond you that you can turn over to God? Allow Him and His supernatural ability to take you to places that you can't handle on your own. Are you spending too much time thinking about your circumstances and what you can do to improve them or, are you connecting with God's heart? He says in Matthew 6:34, "Do not worry about tomorrow. Let tomorrow worry about itself, living faithfully is a large enough task for today."

The enemy uses fear, anxiety and worry to prevent us from sharing our faith, from fixing our eyes on Jesus and from the greater things that God has in store for us as His followers. This song truly touches me in many ways. I know that many of us struggle with the idea that our past and present mistakes are unforgivable, yet the Bible tells us that isn't true. Read that great translation in The Message of Matthew 11:28-30. Jesus tells us: "Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest." What an amazing comfort to know that when we struggle with our pain, pride and unloving natures, we can all lay it at the feet of Jesus. This is a great song to sing to our Lord and Savior as a personal prayer of thanks and praise.

Are we spending too much time thinking about our circumstances and what we can do to improve them or are we connecting with God's heart for us, which is "do not worry about tomorrow. Let tomorrow worry about itself. Living faithfully is a large enough task for today" (Matthew 6:34, The Voice). I've read that God tells us 365 times in His Word "do not fear" or "do not worry," enough for a daily reminder to not spend time caught up in ourselves, but allowing ourselves to be satisfied with a fresh filling of God and His Holy Spirit every day.

We all have lies that we believe about ourselves. Also, we have an Enemy who doesn't like us. He does have a voice and he does speak to us, but the voice of God's Agape Love speaks louder. This song encourages us to see ourselves the way God sees us. What a great message of redemption: grace is unmerited favor, and it is a free gift. It is a testament to Wilson the songwriter that he can make that concept as accessible as a moving "3 minute song." Be free from those doubts about yourself and sing out: "Don't borrow no trouble from tomorrow, You'll only double your sorrow, You'll only worry your mind, Don't borrow no trouble from tomorrow." Amen to that.