Tossing Anxiety

A favorite verse of many is 1 Peter 5:10, which reads, "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."  The very idea of tossing our anxiety over to God and relaxing in our spirits is very appealing.  But despite our regard for the promise and our desire to be anxiety free, we tend to find ourselves stressed out contrary to our "Too blessed to be stressed" bumper stickers.

Why is that?  Why do so many Christians who want to be free and embrace 1 Peter 5:10 don't toss their anxieties into the waiting arms of God?  What prevents us?  Perhaps it is that we don't understand the process of casting our cares on God.  Process?  Yep.  Let's take a look:

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings" (vv. 6-9).

Did you notice that along with the casting, there was humble, be alert and resist.  The first step in casting our care on God is to humbly accept the fact that we are broken and unable to fix ourselves, needing God's help.

Second, we are to stay alert or keep watch for the devil's attempts to blindside us with the temptation to ignore God's promise and focus on the problems of life.  He seeks to prevent us from focusing on the fact that God is faithful and he has always seen us through, always provided a season on refreshing.

Finally, we are to take a firm stand against the devil, refusing to accept his lies and his accusations.  Choosing to trust in God's power and goodness instead.  Refusing to listen to the devil's lies, leaning in to hear God's promise of victory.

Anxiety has to do with outcomes.  Since our outcome is assured to be victorious, why would we be stressed?  We wouldn't be.  Don't let the devil steal your blessing.  Come humbly before God, watch carefully in prayer and then take a firm stand against the devil's trap.  Then, having tossed you anxiety, live free before God, laying down a heavy heart.  Jus' Say'n.