God must have anticipated certain events in the lives of His children that would cause them to become “worry-warts.” Even the most mature Christians today are quick to labor under the burden of anxious and excessive care such as personal concerns, family woes, cares for the present, and cares for the future. The Apostle Peter saw this anxious care as a heavy burden and offered us some wise counsel for dealing with it. Peter’s advice is to cast all our cares upon God. We are to throw the cares that distract us, wound our bodies and souls, and lay heavy on our hearts, upon the wise and gracious providence of God. You can do that because “he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7) Isn’t that amazing? You and I don’t have to carry the burden of our worries. God is willing to release us from our cares, and take our concerns upon Himself.
That sounds great. I have no problem casting my cares upon God. At first, the weight is lifted until God doesn’t respond to my need like I think He should. Then, it becomes hard for me not retrieve the burden.
After I lost my husband, I suffered with severe stomach pain. It was how my body dealt with the stress. I assumed by casting my situation on God and asking him to carry the burden meant that my stomach troubles would go away. The burden of not going to counseling once a week and not having that extra bill to pay was expected when I gave it over to God as well. But none of that ceased. I kept having stomach pain, which meant I still needed counseling for my grief. I had also hoped that the counselor would at least ease my debt, instead, she went up on her prices. What was the point of giving my burden to God in the first place if he wasn’t going to make it all go away? I wondered.
The point is this. When you and I cast our cares on God we are acknowledging that it’s His responsibility to care for us—not ours. We forget that God is painting on a large canvas. He sees the big picture. We only see what’s happening to us at the moment.
That’s why God allows events to come into our lives—good things and bad things; things that make sense and things that don’t. Every one of these incidents serves as part of his plan for our lives. What you and I may think is harmful and destructive God is using for our good—to bring us to completion in godly conduct and character. He will allow nothing to happen to us that isn’t first filtered through his screen of protection. In other words, what won’t destroy us God uses to better us. Ultimate harm would be if God left us in the state we are in.
During turbulent times, you and I have this promise. “We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed” (2 Corinthians 4: 8, 9; NIV).
God will not let our hardships destroy us. Though they may be tragic in and of themselves, He will use them for our good. You and I cast our worries on God because it’s His responsibility to give us what we need. As we trust him with the bigger picture of our lives, the weight is lifted and peace washes over our anxieties.
Why is it hard to let go of your burdens and trust them to God?
What is one way you can wait on God until He shows up with a solution?
I love this, Miccca…..thanks! I am seeing this to be true in health issues I am facing. I am wanting Him to work quicker (for me) in this, but I know He sees the bigger picture!