In the life of a Christian, our minds can build false realities that need to be addressed and pulled down so that we can live with expectations that are in line with God’s word.
I want to address one of these false realities that may seem small but does a lot of damage to people’s faith when it’s not properly understood.
Here’s the idea:
Because we have a good God or because we are Christians, we will not go through hard times.
Jesus Said There Would Be Days Like This
Jesus made a very simple statement to his disciples:
John 16:33 (ESV)
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.
Affliction, suffering, and times of worry will happen in our life because Jesus told us they would.
I meet so many people who want to give up or question why they are going through difficulties.
I believe if they truly understood that Jesus said we would go through tribulation, their faith would not be shaken as easily.
To know and follow Jesus is the best thing you will ever do in this life, but it will not exempt you from experiencing difficulties in life.
In another place, Jesus said that it rains on the just and the unjust (see Matthew 5:45).
Life happens to everyone, and you must learn to not allow it to bring you down or rob you of your faith in God.
How to Deal With the Problems That Come Your Way
The apostle Peter shines some light on how to deal with the afflictions that come our
way:
1 Peter 5:7
casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
It looks to be something that’s very easy according to Peter - just give it to the Lord!
But we all know it’s not always that easy, so there is no condemnation for you. We all struggle to let go of things that are weighing us down.
I have read this scripture many times, but recently during my devotion time I read
something that sparked my curiosity.
The word for anxieties can also be translated as “worries.”
Now let’s look at this word “worries” or “worry” a little deeper.
The Etymology of Worry
I decided to look at the etymology of the word “worry.” It led to something interesting that I
believe will help us understand why we should give our anxieties or worry to the Lord.
The word worry comes from the idea “to strangle.”
In other words, we are to cast all our anxieties, worries, or the things that try to strangle us onto the Lord!
Life is hard. Fear and worry always try to grab a hold of us through circumstances that we face.
But one thing you must understand is that when you hold onto these emotions, I believe they strangle life and peace out of you.
Perhaps it’s worry about your children. It could also be the worry of a health issue that’s arising.
The more we spend time allowing these worries to plague us, we find ourselves slowly losing sight of the one who can bring us the answer.
We are to cast our worries on him.
Take Action
This is something we must actively do. God does not actively take away the things that worry us. We make the choice to either give it to him or bear those things upon our own shoulders.
“What if I cast it on the Lord but still find myself worrying?”
I bring this question up because I think it’s something we all struggle with.
We spend time praying and giving our worries to the Lord, and then find ourselves later again worrying about it.
The answer is for you to continually cast it and give it to the Lord every moment you find yourself struggling.
Remind yourself, “I gave this to you, Lord, and it’s in your hands.”
Anytime you find yourself picking up the worry or anxiety again, cast it back on him, knowing that it is his to bear.
Jesus’ Answer for Dealing With Anxiety
Jesus tells us how to deal with anxiety:
Matthew 6:25–26
25 Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?
This section has many more details, and I encourage you to read Matthew 6.
Jesus helps us to understand that worry will do nothing to add to our life and that our heavenly Father knows all that we need.
You see friends, we can live in the love and care of God, because we know that he sees
everything that worries us, and he desires to carry the load.
God never stands back and watches you be crushed by the weight.
He encourages us and challenges us because He knows how difficult it can be to let go of those things, and He tells us to cast them upon Him.
This doesn’t mean that you deem what you’re letting go as less important. But it’s understanding that you, in your own strength, can never do anything to change it.
You’re simply realizing that if God does not take care of it, it won’t be changed.
Conclusion
I know this article may seem very simple, but I think it’s something we all will periodically find to be difficult when worry starts to creep in.
Don’t let worry strangle you and try to take the peace, joy, and love of God that is in your heart.
Start casting it onto the Lord daily, monthly, and every second you find herself becoming overwhelmed.
We can’t always avoid what happens in our lives, but we can take charge on how we
will respond!
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