You and I care about people, and we are certainly grateful for those who care about us. But all of us care only to a certain extent. No matter how much compassion we possess, we are limited by time, ability and attention. We can’t care deeply about everyone and everything. We can’t always be there. We can’t always fix things. We just can’t bear it all or we’d be crushed under its weight.
Not so with Jesus. There is no one who cares more for you. There is no one more capable of sharing and bearing your burdens. Most of us know this verse by heart: “Casting all your care on Him, for He cares for you” (1Peter 5:7 NKJV).
Why then do we grasp our cares instead of casting our cares? Does pride cause us to cling to our cares rather than cling to God? Do we really trust ourselves more than we trust Jesus?
Try taking a step back, and read that verse again along with the preceding verse: “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1Peter 5:6-7 NKJV). “Casting” (literally “throwing”) requires humility…of recognizing you’re not meant to bear this alone and looking to Jesus in complete surrender.
“Care” (Greek: merimna) means to be “fragmented, divided, or separated.” What a perfect description of worry/anxiety. It shatters you and breaks you into pieces. You feel scattered and pulled apart.
But our God is a God of wholeness. Shalom. Unity. Fulfillment. Restoration. Completeness. He is the Expert at putting pieces back in place and transforming brokenness into beauty.
Affliction has a way of either hardening or humbling.
Why not approach the throne of grace with this prayer, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way (Psalm 139: 23-24 NASB) so that you can profess with the Psalmist, “When the cares of my heart are many, Your comforts delight my soul” (Psalm 94:19 ESV/NKJV).
Bring Him your pieces and He will give you His peace.
Spread the Word!
© 2014 Tim McKenzie
On Every Word Ministries
www.OnEveryWord.com