Don’t Let Worry Overwhelm You
Growing up I was a pretty happy kid! I didn't have a lot of things to worry about and always felt optimistic about the future. It's amazing how time, age, and life experience changes those things. Don't get me wrong. I am still happy and optimistic because I know God is good and He holds all things in His hands (Colossians 1:17). But these days it seems like there are so many things that can trigger worry in me. I can get worried watching the news or thinking about the future. I worry about my kids' safety, about my parents' health, going to the doctor, making ends meet, issues at work, caring for others, etc. All of these things can stir up worry and anxiety in my heart and mind which can weigh me down. Perhaps you feel this way too?
As we know, being a Christian does not make our problems go away. God has called us to live in the world but not be of the world. We still have to deal with the worries and concerns of this life. But as God's children, we now have an Advocate to whom we can take every concern. I Peter 5:7 says, "Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." Jesus wants to shoulder our burdens. We are to depend on Him with all of our concerns. Sometimes it's not easy to give these things up though. We have difficulty trusting and letting go of our worries. Here Peter is telling the believers in these Roman provinces to turn to Christ with their concerns. Like us, they had a lot to be concerned about and even reason to fear. They were experiencing persecution. The future was cloudy. They didn't know what would happen to their families. They were suffering for their faith. Yet, Peter says you have an Advocate in Christ who cares for you. It's hard to trust someone you don't know. Get to know Jesus better. Talk to Him. Walk with Him. Include Him in the details of your life. Learn that He is trustworthy and sovereign.
It's true, we don't know exactly what tomorrow will bring. But we have the most powerful Advocate in the universe who holds all of things in His hands. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.
Pastor Darren
