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CHRISTIAN LIVING TODAY
Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about what happens to you. (I Peter 5:7) Our worries are distractions. According to the biblical definition, worry divides our attention and causes us to focus on a particular problem, person or a situation. Sadly, some people feel that more worry equals more care — but is this true?
One verse from Psalms 94:19 challenges this concept: “When worries threaten to overwhelm me, Your soothing touch makes me happy.”
Here’s encouragement from Nahum 1:7, a little- known book: “The Lord is good; indeed, He is a fortress in time of distress, and He protects those who seek refuge in Him.”
Make a list today of ways you’ve recognized God in your life. List ways He provided for you and blessed you. Remember answered prayers and you will find this list encouraging and amazing.
Keep it handy and reread it as needed. It is too easy to forget the goodness of God that touches our lives.
I’ve heard people say to give all your cares to God, to “turn it over to God,” but how is that possible? Some say to “lay your burdens down at the cross,” but how is that accomplished?
Then, some also continue saying they picked the problem up again.
Sometimes we need visual reminders to help us, so consider doing this. Choose a treasured bowl or beautiful box, write your care and concern on a small piece of paper and place it within. Whenever you see this container, you are reminded that you have given that issue to the Lord.
Thank Him that you can cast your cares on Him, for He does care for you.
Cast your burden, throw it upon another. In doing this, you’ve distributed the weight of the issue. Our great weight bearer is all powerful, all knowing, ever present and unchanging.
This is an intentional action, deliberate. We cannot hold tight to the worry and care if we cast.
Remember, Jesus said to enter His yoke, and He carries the bulk of the weight.
Picture a seine net cast upon the water to capture fish. We cast our net, sending all the cares and concerns upon One who loves us best.
We need One to share our load, to carry that heavy burden.
Each of us needs help and support.
We need Him, and each other.
Until next week, Anita Onarecker, an Elgin resident, author of “Divine Appointment: Our Journey to the Bridge” and minister to women and adults, earned a Master of Christian Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2007.
