Cast all your anxiety on him because He cares for you I Peter 5:7
I Peter is a circular letter written several decades after the crucifixion and well into Peter’s career as a missionary, the fulfillment of Jesus’ call on him to lead the New Church into all the world. Peter is in Rome where he sees and knows the persecution of Christians. Anxiety ran high among those who had lost family, community and financial stability as a result of their new faith. The author of this devotional knows a little about anxiety. In fact, I’ve worried that I wasn’t worrying enough, as though my worries held the world together by helping God focus more efficiently!
Anxiety is all consuming. Sometimes it’s sudden, other times it builds slowly and finally erupts. Everything is fine until it isn’t and then fight or flight takes control and attending to work and creative productivity melts like ice on a summer’s day and hope evaporates like the puddle left behind.
Here’s some really good news. The Bible shames no one for this response to the pressures of human experiences. The sensation of being overwhelmed, burdened with more than one can handle, is well documented in Biblical stories and characters. Struggle does have purpose, it helps us grow and find who God really is so we may extend our testimony forward for others. We are not designed for anxiety but for peace, joy, love, kindness and rest. Peter encourages us to cast all that distracts, concerns, paralyzes and robs us of our peace onto Jesus and know He cares for you and will draw you to His safety, clarity and comfort.
Love,
Gretchen