Christine Mann
“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.” 1 Peter 5:6-7
“Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.” Psalm 55:22
2:00 in the morning isn’t the optimal time to learn how to “cast your burdens on the Lord,” but it’s usually when we need it the most. It seems our burdens are not nearly as heavy when we laid our head on our pillow…but somehow, several hours later the weight is just completely unbearable. So I guess the practice of learning to cast cares must be well-learned prior to bedtime. But better late than never, I always say.
So what does that mean? “Casting your cares upon the Lord?”
Peter clearly ties humbling ourselves to casting our cares on God. Why? I don’t know about you, but I think I am really good at solving my own problems (not to mention everyone else’s problems, too). So it makes perfect sense that in order to cast we must first let go! We must be willing to let God take all our worries and cares from us. For some of us this is very challenging because our cares and worries have become part of the framework of who we are. We acknowledge we don’t want them, but when push comes to shove we don’t want to get rid of them either. In the words of a very famous princess, “Let it go!”
Casting is an action. It’s throwing something forcefully in a specific direction. In this case we’re casting cares toward our Father. In Greek the word casting is epiripto. It is made up of two words, epi which means “upon” and ripto meaning “to hurl something.” Picture flinging a bag or excess weight off the shoulders of a traveler onto the back of a donkey or camel. In other words there are certain things we were not meant to carry, and we need to unload them in order to relieve the pressure from our shoulders.
So practically speaking, what does casting our burdens look like?
First, you need to acknowledge the cares and burdens you are carrying. Recognize and admit you are unable to carry these burdens on your own. You are not designed to carry them, but there is someone who is and He wants to lighten your load.
Visualize each burden in your hand. Open your palms and visualize each burden being released to the Father. In prayer give Him each one specifically with all of its ugly tentacle-like details that want to stay attached and wrap themselves around your hands.
Thank God for carrying each burden and anxiety and praise Him for His faithfulness. Thank Him as He lifts you up, cares for you and sustains you. Thank Him for not allowing you to be shaken.
Christine Mann is the Women’s Minister at New Life Church. This interdenominational church meets at the Robson Clubhouse on Sunday mornings at 8:30 a.m. Visit New Life’s website: www.NewLifeDenton.org for more information.