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Casting Your Care

God knows us so well. We're anxious, fearful people--ever worrying about life. No wonder  He says, "don't be afraid," over 300 times in Scripture. I did a little research on anxiety and it's everywhere. The Anxiety and Depression Assoc. of America reports that over 40 million adults in the U.S. struggle with some sort of anxiety disorder. From occasional bouts of worry to debilitating lifestyles of fear, worry often accompanied by depression permeates our culture. Christians are not immune. 

 We toss and turn in our beds, minds fully engaged and sleep elusive. God says, "Trust Me and don't worry. Tell Me everything that's bothering you. I will take care of you." But do we believe Him? 

 Richard Foster in his book, Freedom of Simplicity says "The pressing question today is not, "Is there a God?" but "What kind of God is there?" Is God cruel or is He good? In short, can He be trusted?"

 Anxiety has trapped me from time to time. Fear about money, illness, travel, jobs, family situations--you name it, I've worried about it. Sleepless nights, irritation with everything and everyone are only some of my responses to worry. It's not a good place to live, nor is it pleasant for those around me. 

 Most of the things we fear, never happen. But we think they might and so we're caught in the spider's web of "what if." David Jeremiah asks in his book, What Are You Afraid Of? 

 "What immobilizes you? What is stealing your joy and destroying your hope? What keeps you from giving your life wholly to a loving God who wants nothing but the the best for you?"

 At the end of the day for the Christian it boils down to whether we believe God is for us. He has already told us that life is tough. There are challenges every day. We live in uncertain times just as our grandparents did, and their grandparents before them. Will we trust Him to take care of us and our families?

Jesus tells in the Gospel of Matthew--

“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.  Matthew 6:31-34

I don't want to live an anxious life. You probably don't either. God promises to be with us every moment of every day. He is for us, working for our good in every situation. He will give us everything we need. He is everything we need. I am constantly learning He is sufficient, He is trustworthy, and He loves me more than I can imagine. His Word is full of assurances of these very things. I encourage you to find them and commit them to memory. I can tell you that His words will push out the fearful thoughts that so easily spiral out of control.

And I'm grateful for old hymns that help me sing those truths. 

Simply trusting Thee, Lord Jesus, I behold Thee as Thou art,
And Thy love, so pure, so changeless,
Satisfies my heart;
Satisfies its deepest longings,
Meets, supplies its every need,
Compasseth me round with blessings:
Thine is love indeed!
Jesus I am resting, resting, 
in the joy of what thou art. 
I am finding out the greatness 
of thy loving heart.



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