Over and over in the Bible, God emphasizes the importance of leaving worry and leaning on God.

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” Philippians 4:6

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:8

“Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?” Matthew 6:27

“…for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” 1 Peter 5:6-7

James says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” James 1:2-6

When you face problems and trying situations, do you consider it pure joy? Why not? Do you doubt what God can do? Or do you doubt that He cares for you? You must not doubt, for He has already told you that He does care for you. He cares about the most common of things in your life.

Read this and consider it: “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomor- row is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you O you of little faith. So do not worry, saying, “what shall we wear or what shall we drink? Or what shall we wear?” For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Fa- ther knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:28-24

Ask yourself why you don’t consider it pure joy when you are faced with troubles. One reason may be that you do not understand the blessings of casting your cares on God. God will not reach down and snatch your cares away from you while you are not looking. You must cast them on Him. That is, you must throw them on Him. Once you have stepped out in faith and cast your cares on Him in prayer, He will be faithful to sustain you.

“Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.” Psalm 55:22

Sustain means, “To give sup- port or relief to; to carry or withstand (a weight or pres- sure); to nourish.” So then, when we cast our cares on God, He may not make those situations disappear, but He will be faithful to sustain you through them! And when you come out on the other side, having relied on God to sustain you, you will be changed. As you cast your cares on Him and as you behold Him, you are changed more and more into His likeness.

“But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 3:18

It takes effort, sometimes great effort, on our parts to surrender our cares to God. We can be sure though that God wants all of our burdens all of the time. And when we worry, it can actually make the Word of God unfruitful in our lives. “The worries of this life may choke the Word of God, making it unfruitful.” Mark 4:19.

Are you choking out the effectiveness of the Word of God in your life? Jesus says, “Come unto me all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke fits perfectly and the burden I give you is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30 TLB)

We are all guilty of the sin of worry. But God’s Word tells us how to turn that worry into prayer. God hears heartfelt prayer, and He is faithful to answer. The Creator of the Universe and everything in it cares for you. Right there where you are, He cares for you. No matter how trivial the problem seems, He cares for you. No matter how overwhelming and stressful the situation is, the Almighty God, the most powerful Being of all, cares for you.

Are you still having trouble casting your cares? Pray with me….

Father, today I cast all my cares on You. I lay every burden on my heart at your holy feet, knowing that you care for me and that you will sustain me. Help me be aware of Your ability to carry all my burdens for me, and give me the grace to surrender my troubles to you daily. Thank you for Your rest. Thank You for your faithfulness!

“Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden, The God who is our salvation. Selah Selah.” Psalm 68:19

“I will be your God through all your lifetime, yes, even when your hair is white with age. I made you and I will care for you. I will carry you along and be your Savior Savior.” Isaiah 46:4 TLB

© 2006 Sylvia Britton