“Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares for you.”

I Peter 5:7 NLT

No one is immune from feeling worried. Even the calmest and most God-trusting person experiences moments when the problems of life cause unrest. A looming illness, a broken relationship or a financial dilemma can turn anyone’s world upside down. There’s no reason to feel ashamed when worry strikes because God provided a way for us to deal with our worries and cares.

The Bible says, “Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares for you”  (1 Peter 5:7 NLT). But I specifically like the ESV version which more accurately translates the word “give.” It says,“Casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.”

To cast means to hurl, pitch or toss aside; to push from oneself with force, to throw away as worthless or to set aside as unfit for use. Did you catch that? Our worries and cares are useless! I once heard this about worry – It’s like a rocking chair…it moves you back and forth but takes you nowhere. Our worries and cares about life never lead anywhere good. Instead, they keep us trapped in a pit of hopelessness and despair staring at the problem.

Notice the “ing” at the end of cast…conveying as worries and cares arise we are to throw them to God. It’s not a one and done action, but rather an ongoing process because unattended worry weighs us down. It’s like carrying a backpack filled with rocks causing us to huff and puff through life.

Maybe it’s time to clean-out your emotional backpack by casting the weight of your worry to the Lord. After all, He affectionately and watchfully cares about you. You are the object of God’s care. He loves you and tends to you like a father tends to a child. Plus, He is the only One who holds the power and strength to carry your worries and cares for you.

REFLECT

What worries and cares are you shouldering right now? Name them specifically. Then, go outside, grab a few rocks and practice casting your worries and cares onto Him by throwing the rocks as far away from you as you can.

Many Blessings,

JJ

Average Christian Gal Who Loves Jesus & the Bible