Casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully].

~1 Peter 5:7 AMP

I’ll be the first to admit I often worry about things more than I should.

I’m not sure if it’s just my analytical mind working overtime or the fact that I have a lot of quiet moments to rehearse scenarios in my head. Either way, I realize my tendency to worry is something I need to work through.

I know God hasn’t given me a spirit of fear, but if I can just be totally transparent for a minute, there are things I have experienced that at times cause anxiety and worry in my life. One morning while lying in bed I was reminded of something I hadn’t done in a while and needed to:

Cast.

My.

Cares.

On.

The.

Lord.

I was worried because I was holding onto the cares instead of giving them to One who can handle them all. The biblical word for cast means to throw, hurl, or fling. When I read that, I notice that it’s something that requires effort. It’s not a casual handing over, but taking whatever it is and with force launching it as far away as possible. In my mind I picture myself taking my concerns about my marriage, my job, or my family and saying, “Here you go Lord, that’s for you!”

Our Father invites us to cast our cares on Him. But we must be honest with ourselves about what the “cares” are. Some past. Some present. Some future. Whatever it may be, give yourself permission to experience those feelings and emotions. Why they’re there, and where they come from. We do ourselves a disservice when we tell ourselves we’re not concerned or anxious—when we really are.

Consider the woman with the issue of blood who desired restored health; Mary and Martha and their broken hearts over their brother’s death; Hannah and her desire for a child; Bartimaeus who was blind but wanted sight. The one thing they all had in common was that they didn’t hold onto their cares but turned them over to the Lord who was able to work miracles!

Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah

~Psalm 62:8 NKJV

Scripture reminds us to pour out our hearts (Psalm 62:8) not to hide them. Deep healing often comes when we are honest with ourselves about the things that burden us. Sometimes it’s not always a “verse a day” that keeps the worries away. It’s the gut-wrenching work of bringing everything we throw at Him. It’s not always my first response, but moment by moment the Lord is helping me to cast my cares on Him, exchanging it for the peace of knowing it will be okay because He cares so much for me.

And I hope you know He will do the same for you.

Do you have a care you need to cast on the Lord today? Will you surrender it?

Heavenly Father, thank You for taking my cares. Every. Single. One. I lay at Your feet each one, and I ask You to exchange Your peace for each care, as You work in each situation. I trust You and I look for the good report You are creating. I surrender my soul to You.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Genre: Non-fiction

Adapted from Pages From My Heart: A Devotional for Women by Lekeisha (Ford) Maldon: Used with Permission

Copyright 2021: The Exchange: Lekeisha Maldon: All Rights Reserved