Many of us memorized 1 Peter 5:7 as children:
Did you ever wonder how we cast our anxiety?
After all, our concerns aren’t jammed into heavy backpacks we can physically heave onto God’s back. We’re talking in the abstract–about nagging problems, physical ailments, troubling situations.
And in spite of God’s capacity and willingness to be our Burden-Bearer (Psalm 68:19), we find anxiety and fear niggling among our thoughts just the same. It’s difficult to get rid of them.
We know gratitude and praise to God can be effective burden-lifters, but worries can linger on the periphery, waiting for the first opportunity to return. Is that a sign of failure?
Here’s what I’ve learned; maybe you have too.
First, ‘remember learning math facts in school?
Mastery required practice because that’s how God made our brains to work. We learn by making neural connections, called synapses. For most of us, it takes a good deal of repetition for synapse-connections to become hard-wired (1).
Second, it makes sense that the advanced skill of controlling our thinking is also going to require practice. It’s a sign of wisdom to keep turning our minds back to God–a hundred times a day if necessary.
Third, I also know this: God appreciates progress; he doesn’t withhold his delight in us until we’re perfect.
Consider God’s message through the prophet Zechariah:
So, when a concern wants front-and-center attention in our minds, let’s implement:
Strategy #1: Keep turning the mind to gratitude and praise.
Matthew Henry, the great Bible commentator of the 1600s had his wallet stolen one day. But instead of fretting about it, he wrote this in his journal:
“I thank Thee first because I was never robbed before; second because although they took my purse they did not take my life; third, because although they took my all, it was not much; and fourth because it was I who was robbed, and not I who robbed.”
Henry’s reasons for gratitude surely helped to shift the burden of anxiety from his own shoulders to the formidable shoulders of God. Just reading his entry lifts my spirit.
Strategy #2: Affirm that God can turn burdens into blessings.
God achieves purpose, even in our suffering. One purpose: to expand the joy in our lives (James 1:2).
For twenty-six years I taught elementary school. One difficult year, the problems and resulting tension intensified. And yet, as I got in the car each morning, I strongly sensed God’s presence with me, as if he sat in the passenger seat!
His presence gave me joy–to the point of happy tears sometimes–while also offering reassurance and strength. Without the increased stress, I would not have experienced that singular blessedness.
Strategy #3: Remember who God is.
For God to be our Burden-Bearer, we have to trust him, and trust grows as we remember:
He’s our Father of compassion, our ever-present help in trouble, our King of power and glory, our loving and faithful God, our strong deliverer, and more (3). He can handle any load of trouble.
In fact, what seems to us a crushing burden is as inconsequential to him as a speck of dust on a balance scale (4).
* * * * * * *
Lord, help me remember: You are the one with the answer to every question, the solution to every problem, and the wisdom for every decision (5). To worry is to forget Who’s in charge. May I joyfully rest in you.
Notes:
- https://earlychildhood.qld.gov.au/early-years/early-learning-at-home/read-and-count/the-power-of-repetition
- Karol Ladd, Thrive, Don’t Simply Survive, 54-55.
- Psalm 103:13; 46:1;1 Chronicles 29:11; Psalm 57:10; 18:2.
- Based on a Charles Spurgeon quote from Morning by Morning, 8.
- Kay Arthur, His Imprint, My Expression, 36.
Image credits: dailyverses.net; http://www.flickr.com (Jimmie Quick); http://www.canva.com (2); http://www.heartlight.org.
Do sign up below for the monthly newsletter that includes a THANK YOU GIFT: Thirty suggestions for enhancing your gratitude to God.
Scroll to the end of the newsletter to find this resource!
Discover more from From the Inside Out
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
From the Inside Out 
I love these reminders that God is always with us. In journeys of sadness or gladness, God is present. When life feels overwhelming, we don’t need to worry. God will cover us with His love and peace when we seek Him. Have a blessed day!
Thank you, Melissa. God is so good to see us through trials and pain. I think of those who’ve suffered deprivation, persecution, even torture, and STILL consider it a joy, because they’re enduring for Christ’s sake. We CAN endure because he does indeed “cover us with His love and peace when we seek Him!”
I loved these simple strategies you listed and illustrated for us here, Nancy, to keep those worrisome thoughts at bay. Being grateful to God each and every day, recalling how He has turned burdens into blessings, and remembering Who He is: perfect formulas for that peace that passes all understanding to rest within us. Blessings, my friend!
I know you’re well-familiar with these strategies, Martha. You’ve illustrated them yourself on your own blog. I’m thinking of your trial-by-pneumonia a few years back when you looked to God for strength and counted carefully every blessing. You did cast your anxieties on him!
How I talk to myself is part of it too for me.
You’re right, Matt–positive self-talk, especially those statements that are grounded in scripture, help greatly to exchange worry for worship. God is our peace, our consolation, our help and strength!
Such good and yet simple reminders. Thank you Nancy 💕😊
Praise God you found goodness here, Manu!
We encourage ourselves in the Word of God. Thanks for sharing my friend.
Oh YES! The Bible is a sublime source of encouragement, that’s for sure! Thank you for adding that to our list of strategies, Brenda!
Nancy, thank you for sharing! These are beautiful reminders that “we can cast all our care on Him because He cares for us”. That means every care big or small. As I have gotten older, anxiety often creeps in, but God’s Word calms my anxious thoughts.
Blessings my friend,
Pam
I too am SO thankful for Bible truth that calms and encourages. How blessed we are to have God’s Word readily available to us, even through our phones!
Great points here. The word CAST stood out to me. Often when I pray and attempt to let go, I imagine handing over anxiety, worries and fears to God. But the word CAST implies heaving with great effort – not the gently handing over in my mind. Maybe I need to try casting more often. LOL
Jean, you’ve got me curious–I may have to do a word study about the word “cast,” and see what layers of meaning might be “cast” upon this verse!
Lovely post! I have I Peter 5:7 on the wall in my office. I like your ideas on how to follow through. I think the big thing for me is remembering who God is…He is God and He is the only one who can fill that role!
Amen, Linda. Sometimes a problem looms so large we lose sight temporarily of our God who is bigger still. Praise God he is all-wise, all-powerful, infinitely-loving, and more!
Strategies 1, 2, and 3 are powerful thoughts to embrace for our well being and our connection with God. Thanks, Nancy! 🙂
I’m glad you found them worthwhile, Nancy. Praise God!
Nancy, how wonderful to read that God ministered to you during your difficult year of teaching! It’s such a good reminder that God uses his presence to equip us for certain tasks, rather than special earthly abilities. What an encouragement!
I’m so glad you added that truth to the conversation Stacey. Sometimes God does equip his people for certain tasks, like Joseph enabled for the role of prime minister in Egypt. Other times God’s equipping looks like endurance and spiritual strength, as Jeremiah and other prophets illustrated. They proclaimed God’s truth, suffered persecution as a result, and yet they never gave up. Both types of situations are quite miraculous.
I needed this so very much. Tears fall from my cheeks as I write this. I have felt so fearful of the future; not my future in eternity, but my future here on earth. Not that anything will harm me physically, but emotionally. (It’s just Mom and I left in my immediate family; I’m sure you can read between the lines. I need to take one day at a time, trusting in His perfect plan. Just reading this tonight lifted my spirits that He cares about everything to do with me. Please keep me in your prayers.
Praise God for prompting me to choose this topic for this week! I’m honored he would use this post to minister to your need. Rest assured I do pray for you, my friend! One quote of many I find encouraging (maybe you will too): “God is never blind to your tears, never deaf to your prayers, and never silent to your pain. He sees, He hears, and He will deliver”–Unknown. May these assurances also minister to your spirit.
Perfect quote!!!
🥰
Also, the ‘math’ reference tickled me since that was my major!
You probably learned the math facts in no time! 😁
The lead verse had me thinking of a fisherman, who casts his line into a quiet pond and sits in his boat in blissful silence. I don’t fish, but the calming effect seems to be part of the appeal. LOVE the verse from Zechariah. We should always find joy in our days (no matter how small the reason) because every day is a gift. Finally, your reference to God as a burden-bearer makes me think about how things always look better “in the morning” (as with the incident I blogged about this week). It never fails for me. No matter how troubled I may when I hit the pillow at night, God somehow assumes the burden in the overnight hours.
That fishing visualization is a helpful one, Dave. Sometimes when we cast our anxieties on God, we have to wait for results. That doesn’t mean nothing is going on below the surface! Also love that last observation. You’re right: some situations can look a lot less intimidating in the morning. (In my mind’s eye, I can just see God, going on burden-collecting missions each night!)
Nancy,
In God’s hands broken things work better. Hope you see new things this week with the Lord’s signature on them.
Thank you, Gary
Gary Avants Forbear Productions * *garyavants66@gmail.com garyavants66@gmail.com
AMEN to statement #1, and THANK YOU for statement #2. I already saw one new thing this week with the Lord’s signature on them: Met a number of delightful, new-to-me women at our retreat this weekend! It’s so good to be surrounded by friendly and encouraging sisters in Christ.
Excellent advice, as always. ❤
Thank you, Anna. Also as always? Praise God for his inspiration!
Thank you for the blessing of this post! God hears our every prayer and all of our concerns matter to Him.