"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (I Peter 5:7)
What's weighing you down today? Is it perhaps that extremely heavy burden of worry?
That thing that robs you of a good night's rest by keeping you awake at night; that thing that is 'dividing your mind'?
Many interesting quotes have been made about worry – some quite lighthearted. Here are a few:
- “Worry is like a rocking chair: it gives you something to do but never gets you anywhere”
- “Worry is the interest we pay on tomorrow's troubles.”
- “Worry pulls tomorrow's cloud over today's sunshine.”
Jesus himself, of course had things to say about worry as well:
- "Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?" (Matthew 6:27)
- "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (Matthew 6:34)
I don’t think we even need a whole discussion on the definition of worry. We all fall into it at some time or another. Some more than others.
Worry is heavy isn’t it? In fact the Bible tells us "Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up.” (Proverbs 12:25)
What are some worries that weigh you down sometimes? What worries are weighing you down right now? Financial worries? Health concerns? Anxiety about the future?, health…
We are given some sound advice in 1 Peter 5:7, where we are told to Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
The word used here for cast, means 'to sling', 'to throw away' , 'to dispose of'. The interesting thing is, a gentle 'handing over' is not implied here. Instead, it's talking about a determined thrusting away from.
Have you played or watched a game of 'pass the object', etc. When the music stops, the one that is left holding the object is “it”. So it’s quite funny if you play the game – when you get the object, you frantically want to get it away as quickly as possible. That’s the picture I get with this verse.
Cast your worries on Jesus…don’t hold onto it…get rid of it by throwing it at him…
Will you do that right now? Pray the following prayer with me...
PRAYER:
Lord, I give you my worries, my concerns my cares,
Those things that trouble my mind;
I ask that you fill me with your peace,
Help me leave the burdens behind