“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”-1 Peter 5:6-7
A toddler will cling to the smallest things. If they see something they like, they are instantly possessive over it. They covet it, and cling to it. Suddenly, they are at war with anyone who attempts to take it. To them a single crayon can become a treasure. In a moment, they can be completely beholden to a thing, refusing to let it go. Crying out: “it’s mine, it’s mine.”
Of all the things that mankind is inclined to possess (clothes, houses, cars, toys, etc). You will rarely find anxiety among that list. Our anxiety, worry, and care(s) of this life are not typically mentioned when it comes to what we possess (and by consequence what possesses us). Yet they are hoarded up in our minds all the same. We are filled and bursting with stuff. Here in South Georgia, we have two thousand square foot homes sitting on three acres of land that have garages and barns out back; yet we still line the roads with storage units. Our minds are no different; filled with cares of this life, and the anxiety that comes with it. No doubt the scripture calls us to modesty and simplicity, but even the simplest life is still subject to the troubles of life. A lighter boat may float better, but it still must withstand the storms of life. Weather storms of all kinds: loss of job, health, loved ones. Sickness, hurt and brokenness. If it’s happening to us that’s one thing, but what about the ones we love? Our family, friends, and children. Moreover, we must withstand words unwarranted, and relationships unrestored. Grief and sorrow that lingers on for decades. Deep wounds of the heart that may never heal and always leave a scar. They all swirl around in the mind like a unquieted tempest, and yet all the while Christ can speak: “peace, be still.” He beckons us to simply come and lay your cares at His feet. To lay your burdens on the burden bearer. Share your sickness with the Great healer. Allow your heart to be mended by the Great Physician. He can save, and he can help. He is the Christ who is “acquainted with grief.” This is the Jesus that commands us to cast our care upon Him. He wants to take it, but like a small child we can struggle to give it. We cry out: “it’s mine, it’s mine.” Mine to hold, mine to carry, mine to fix. Our problems to meddle with, worry over, and possess. It is the temptation of the devil to cause us to keep hold on our cares and multiply them in our minds.
Jesus commands us to: “cast our care.” Sometimes it’s simply looking to Christ in prayer and saying: “Lord, you know.” You know what I am going through, you know how I got here, you know why I am still here, and you know how to get me through. You know I cannot fix it or carry it. The worries of life may seem like ours to own, but they are nothing more than ours to give. To cast off and move on with faith and confidence that “He careth for you.”
