Casting
Say to those with anxious heart, ‘Take courage, fear not.
… He will save you’.
– Isaiah 35:4 (NASB)
CASTING
God cares about those paralyzed by anxiety, so much so that he wants us to give all our concerns to him so that we can walk again. 1 Peter 5:7 says, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (NIV).
What does this look like – to cast? For sure, this is not a fishing reel cast where we take it back. I believe this casting is more like an alcoholic choosing to throw the booze over the cliff instead of himself. We release that which is holding us down. We let it go. We get rid of it. We turn it over to God.
TAKING
My friend, God wants us to give our anxiety to him, but he wants us to also take something from him. One of those things to take is courage. Isaiah 35:3 says, “Say to those with an anxious heart, ‘take courage, fear not’…He will save you” (NASB).
Courage will not find its way to us through our feelings; courage comes first by our act of faith. We must choose to believe the truth that God will take care of this. It takes courage to choose to think of God instead of fear, and God will help us take this courage in faith instead of waiting until we “feel” courageous.
BASKING
Far better than the mere absence of worry, God promises peace when we give him our concerns in prayer: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7, NIV). He wants us to have his peace, and He promises this when we cast our concerns to him. It takes some courage to do this, and God will give us this as we move toward him in humility. This peace causes us to bask in the sunlight of his love and protection.
Today, let us give cast all our worries to God. Let us take that courage in God by faith. Let us bask in that peace that is beyond human words. He is that good. He is that caring. He is that loving – beyond our human dreams.
Your Thoughts?
Suggested Questions for Thought and Action:
- If you have ever struggled with anxiety, congratulations on being honest! We all struggle with it. I believe this: Why would God have written so much about it if only few humans struggled with worry? That He would speak life into a struggle common to humans calms me and reminds me He truly cares. He truly cares about you, and this includes your struggles. Any thoughts on this? From the Scriptures we read above, can we agree, despite how we feel, that He genuinely cares for us, even our struggles? It’s OK if you’re not there yet. I’m “not there” frequently. Remember, God cares, so you can be honest.
- Anxieties, especially intense times such as panic, are among the worst feelings we can experience. From mild to intense, worry-gone-wild can paralyze us. Strangely, we pay to go to horror movies to get scared – but we can endure the fear because we know the movie is just a movie. It’s not real. Yet in real life, the thing we are fearing seems VERY REAL. It seems it won’t be over in 1 hour and 45 minutes, the length of the typical film. Have you ever felt that way? What was it like?
- What has given you help in times of worry? Perhaps a talk with a friend, a parent, a pastor? How did it help?
- How can you cast your anxieties to God? What are some creative ways to do this?
- How can we take courage? Read Joshua 1:7-9. What do you think this Scripture passage says about how to take courage?
- Read Philippians 4:6-8 again above. Read it through a second time, addressing it to yourself or someone you are trying to help. What comes as the result of prayer? Does this come before we pray? When does it say it will come? Will it be based on your understanding?
- Oftentimes, I have struggled too long with anxiety. Yet, when I finally take it to God, casting it to him, His peace comes even though I do not understand it. His peace comes even though the situation causing the anxiety in humanly “unresolved.” I’ve learned over many years that I can’t wait until I feel like turning it over to God. Feelings always follow correct thinking and actions, even in the face of fear. Many times, I have ended a prayer still “feeling” worried; however, I know my Savior cares, even if I feel horrible. As I continue to pray, think His thoughts, humble myself to do what He wants, peace does show up. And it is beautiful, my friend, it is beautiful because He is beautiful and cares so much. Can you trust a God Who is that beautiful and cares?
- If you are comfortable, may I pray with you for any anxiety you are struggling with? (Spoken or Unspoken). Feel free to talk to me or other Christians about this. This is part of what being a Christian family is all about.
- Read Matthew 6:25-34 and write down your thought about what Jesus has to say concerning worry.
He wants us to have his peace, and He promises this when we cast our concerns to him. It takes some courage to do this, and God will give us this as we move toward him in humility. This peace causes us to bask in the sunlight of his love and protection.
About The Author
rightdirections4u
R. Rising writes to guide the reader to trust God, the Giver of right directions for life. Through writing, music, and other creative expressions, R. Rising hopes you will see the loving heart of God. May God's love surround you and fill you as you face life's struggles and joys.
Thanks. Whenever I feel worried about anything I pray about it and also I like listening to Christian Music. Some songs have great lyrics to them that is a good reminder about whatever problem I may be going through at the time.
Whenever we feel anxious or worried about anything we can take it to Jesus. Whatever problems we are facing remember that Jesus is bigger than anything in this world. The one who died for our sins (Past Present and Future) cares for you. He has overcome the world. He knows we are going to fall sometimes but when we fall he is always there to catch us and guide us back on the right track. His love never fails and his mercy is new every single day. We may give up on ourselves sometimes and feel like we crossed the line. Satan may remind us of our past mistakes but we can be forgiven through the blood of Jesus. We can be set free from the chains that weigh us down. Jesus said come to me all who are heavy burdened and I will give you rest. Nothing is to much for Him to handle. Cast all your cares upon him because he cares about you. He is always right by your side and will never leave.
Kyle, what you wrote is a real blessing and a good example of putting the truth of God’s Word in our own language, making it our thoughts. I can picture you offering this to someone struggling with anxiety as a blessing to them. I can picture them taking this and personalizing it, saying, “Whenever I feel anxious or worried about anything, I can take it to Jesus…” or even putting it into their own words: “My worry about my job is NOT too much for God to handle. I will throw all my worries to God because He cares so much!” Now, if you don’t mind me asking, what do you do, personally, when you struggle with worry? (For example, Christian music helps them take worries to God, which is something that helps me. Thanks so much, Kyle!