casting your cares

1 Peter 5:6-7

In life there will be times of cares and anxiety.  Each person has different ways of dealing with adversity, and coping with turmoil.  In 1 Peter, we see instruction on handling the troubles of life in the light of Jesus Christ.  Peter instructs the church to humble ourselves.  The path to peace in the midst of turbulent times starts in humility.  It is humbling to admit that we don’t have control of the situation.  God has not called us to be self-sufficient.  We are not to be independent, but to be dependent on Him.  By acknowledging our own lack of control, we allow ourselves to both ask for help from God, and allow Him to direct our paths and actions.  Our relationship with God determines how easily we are able to let go.  The more experience we have with God’s goodness, knowing that He cares for us, the easier it is for us to give Him the reins in the middle of difficult situations.  It is a matter of trust.
The word ‘cast’ means to throw.  We are to cast our cares upon God.  This implies letting go of our cares.  It can be easy to take our cares to God in prayer, and then to pick them back up and take them with us as soon as we say ‘amen’.  The Christian is instructed in scripture to throw our anxieties and cares upon God; to let Him carry them.  Jesus told us to come unto Him all who were weary and heavy-laden, all who were burdened.  As Jesus takes our cares upon Himself, we are able to rest in Him, knowing that He is interceding for us to God the Father, and that He is in control of our situation.  It is time to let go of our anxieties, to throw them at the feet of Jesus and leave them there, in His hands.  May a humble heart allow you to entrust your cares to God, throwing them at His feet, and may you enjoy peace and rest in Jesus.