Should we care?

Recently in our home, we studied the book of 1 Peter. When we got to the 5th chapter, I glossed around the 7th verse for days. It says;

“Casting the whole of your care (ALL your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all) on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares for you watchfully (AMPC).” Him there means God.

I dug deeper to know why the writer used the word “Care.” Care in Greek means /merimna/. So the writer meant, cast all your concerns (distractions) on the Lord, for he cares and is concerned about you. 

A simple dictionary says care is “the provision of what is necessary for the health, welfare, maintenance, and protection of someone or something.”

Every one of us values the things that matter in life. If we didn’t, then we’d be carefree or living in a bubble. We are humans. Indeed, it’s a human trait to show heartfelt “concern” and love for ourselves, other people or events. As individuals, parents, spouses, children, employers, and employees, we carry daily responsibilities and tasks that may have to do with the wellbeing of others or the society we live in. However, while we care or express concerns, we must watch how they affect our emotions. If we don’t handle (emotionally) things well, they end up having negative impacts on the mind. 

Now, be honest, have you worried lately? Tell me how you felt when you allowed your mind to move out of the zone of genuine concern about where your heart was constantly racing, throbbing that you lost your peace, sleep and appetite. Did you enjoy the roller coaster ride? No. I have been there many times. Some concerns can become immense burdens on one’s heart, soul, and mind. They become hordes of attacks on one’s faith, leading to a perpetual state of anxiety, fear, and hopelessness.

How can we think about our genuine concerns without allowing them to cause our hearts unnecessary tension and anxiety?

Cast them. Hurl them. Throw them upon the Lord. 

Sounds easy? It is both easy and hard. Easy because we can trust the one who gave his promises to care for us and never leave us. And also hard because we are not trusting, and are too proud to allow God to handle it for us. We think He can handle some and we do the rest. Many times we cast the problems, challenges, impossible situations and all on him. But keep going back to take them upon ourselves. 

David, like Peter, David in Psalms 55:22 also said, Cast all your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.

Now I want to end it here and will discuss more in subsequent posts.

Before I go, I encourage you as well as myself to CAST ALL, leave nothing in your hand, throw them all to Jesus, and be at rest. Let him give you the wisdom and wherewithal to handle life’s issues.

Cheers!