"Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you."
1 Peter 5:7 (King James Version)
Cast Your Cares on Him
The above scripture is probably a familiar text because it is such a comfort to the Lord's people, knowing they have an outlet in dealing with their burdens. The Heavenly Father has love and concern for those who dedicate their lives to Him—He is personally interested in all their experiences.
Jesus pointed to the danger of being overwhelmed by the cares of life. To counteract this we should take time to meditate and consider the Lord's will for us. If we mentally put everything in God's hands the worry and stress we normally experience will dissipate.
Common Fears
Those whose hopes rest upon the earth are especially tried by what they see in the world today. Jesus said, people's hearts would fail for fear (Luke 21:26). They see no way out and doubt whether the leaders of today can solve all the problems.
Common Fears People Face
- Will I fit in at school?
- Will anyone love me?
Will I be able to get into or afford the right college, to get the job I want?- Will I find the right spouse?
- Will my spouse and I agree on the kind of life we'll have? Will we have children?
- Will we afford a home? Or to pay our bills?
- Will my child grow up to share my values?
- Will my child have a better life than me?
- Will Will my family be a victim of crime or terrorism?
- Will I have care in my old age?
How does the world cope? Many try simply denying what is going on in the world. Escapism is one of the main forms of entertainment: go to the movies to avoid thinking about problems; don't listen to the news, it's all depressing anyway. Some turn to drugs or alcohol or other addictive behaviors— anything that takes their minds away from the world's troubles. Some bury themselves in work, their children's interests, or self-gratification. Some are fatalistic, while some turn to survivalism.
This list is not to depress anyone, but to underscore what a privilege Christians have of taking their burdens to God. He knows the kind of world we live in and all the dangers that confront His followers. - "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7
Rest in the Lord
The key to obtaining peace of heart lies in looking to Jesus. He invites us to Christian service, which helps bring us closer to God and the rest we may be longing for. Jesus left and amazing example of servitude when he willingly died on the cross.
He also left a very personal example of serving the needs of others when he washed the feet of his disciples (John 13:1-17). He exemplified two qualities that are critical in our relationship to God: humility and meekness, or teachableness. He constantly sought direction from God. He said, "I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me" (John 6:38).
This is the pattern we must follow if we want peace of heart. We simply do not have the answers to all of life's struggles. We need God's wisdom. We cannot begin to witness God's providence until we see how insufficient we are. These are the keys to entering into His rest.
Some ask, "Why is there a yoke of sin on each of us? Why not just free mankind from his burden, once and for all? The simple answer is that, in the end, we will be stronger because of this experience. As believers lay down their lives in service to God they are being prepared to live and reign with Christ.
The work of reigning with Christ will bring blessings to the world as they are raised to life again in God's earthly Kingdom. Then understanding the dire consequences of sin, most will choose full obedience. These will then be granted eternal life at the end of Christ's Millennial reign.
As we come to understand the plan of God we can take comfort in knowing that our suffering has a purpose. Not only this, but we can learn to depend on God for wisdom to learn the needed lessons as we strive to overcome sin.
To the believer, God has promised the burden will not be more than he can bear (1 Corinthians 10:13). Believers are given the wonderful prospect of helping the world back to God in His kingdom. So they come to see the purpose and blessings that result from our struggles.
Sources of Improper Cares or Worries
Sources of Worry
- Matters beyond our control
- Choices and actions of others
- Our own insufficiency
- Evil and injustice in the world
- Anything which distracts from God's service
These are all things we should leave in the Lord's hands. If there are concerns we can address then we should deal with them. All others we give to the Lord.
When Jesus was in the home of Mary and Martha, Martha complained that Mary was not helping prepare the meal but preferred to sit and listen to Jesus.
In verse 42 Jesus said that Mary had chosen the better part. He didn't criticize Martha for working in the kitchen rather than sitting with Mary at Jesus' feet. Martha's work was necessary. But in this instance Mary chose something more important. She listened to the Master. Martha worried needlessly.
She should have seen the joy in Mary and been willing to sacrifice herself without complaint. Instead, her worry caused her to complain.
Dealing with a Sense of Insufficiency
How many times do we think, "I'm so insignificant, I could never accomplish anything." The answer to that struggle is to look to the Lord for help. Our insufficiencies are not too big for Him.
Even Moses was guilty of this. When the Lord called him to the burning bush and told him to return to Egypt and be God's instrument of deliverance, Moses had an interesting response. After 40 years as a shepherd, he now felt incapable of doing what God commanded. He even said, "Please send someone else."
The Lord was angry with this response. Moses was looking to his own strength, not understanding that God would guide and help him when it was needed. When God calls us to a certain work, He will not abandon us, but provide whatever is needed. Recognizing this will help us overcome any feelings of insufficiency —He will make up the difference.
Fear of Evildoers
Daniel certainly could have fretted before being thrown into the lion's den, but there is no indication of that in the scriptures.
Many of the men he worked with conspired against him. But, he trusted in God—he believed the Lord could deliver him; he just didn't know how. And even if the Lord didn't save him from the lions, Daniel was still content with whatever the Lord's will was for him.
Those evildoers who sought to kill this noble man were not able to defeat the God who saved him.
Proper Cares
- Providing life's necessities for ourselves and dependents
- Faithful stewardship of matters God gives us
- Doing good to others as opportunities arise; speaking peace to the world
- Bearing the burdens of fellow Christians
Whatever kind of cares you have, lay them all before the Heavenly Father.
Esther
Esther was concerned about the threat to her people by Haman. Her uncle Mordecai suggested that God had put her in a position to help the Jewish people. Overcoming her initial fear she finally committed herself and, with God's help, was wonderfully successful.
Sometimes, when we are in a fearful situation, we simply need to trust that God has our best interests at heart nd wil not allow our enemies victory over us.
Paul
Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure
of my concern for all the churches. 2 Corinthians 11:28
The Apostle Paul described his hard experiences: being in prison, being lashed and beaten with rods, being shipwrecked, and dealing with false brethren. In spite of all these obstacles he was committed to the care of the Christian churches.
He could not have accomplished all that he did had he not cast these burdens on the Lord and appreciated how God was using him. The roadblocks he encountered did not stop him.
Be Aware of Satan's Devices
- Satan wants us to feel we are too insignificant for God to care about
- He wants us to think Biblical promises do not apply to us
The Apostle Peter warns us, saying;
One of Satan's deceptions is to tell the Lord's people they are too insignificant for God to notice. But, this is contrary to scriptures which tell us that the Lord loves us.
The seed represents the word of God. Jesus indicated that God's very words can be choked if we allow worry to run it's course. But when God makes a promise he will keep it. One very precious promise is found in Hebrews 13:5 "...Be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose." Romans 8:28
How to Cast Your Care Upon Him
- Recognize the source(s) of your worry
- Pray for help
- Enlist God's help
- Look to Jesus' example
If we struggle with having peace, it is important to identify the cause and realize that it does not coming from the Father. God wants His children to have peace. That's why we are invited to cast our cares upon Him through prayer and supplication. Supplication is an earnest, pleading prayer.
If we don't know how to word a prayer, we can still go to the Lord and share what we can. Our Heavenly Father will understand.
God knows our needs. But, He wants us to seek His assistance. We can trust Him. But, sometimes we may make inappropriate requests. James said, "ye ask and receive not because ye ask amiss." (James 4:3) When we make a request to God it is important to seek His will in a matter.
Selfish prayers often go unanswered and provide little comfort. When our wills are in line with God's then peace will naturally follow. "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." . Hebrews 4:16
You are His personal concern!
