Cast all your worries on Him, for He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7, TLV
Cast your worries on Him. Sounds simple: Cast all our worries on GOD. Sometimes it doesn’t feel that way, does it? At times we can feel like the weight of all our burdens reside on our weary shoulders. But, therein lies the key. Carrying the burdens.
Cast your burden on ADONAI, and He will sustain you.
He will never let the righteous be shaken. (Psalm 55:23[22], TLV)
We may think that the act of casting our burdens on the LORD is a “New Testament” concept– it’s not. In his contemplative psalm, David speaks of releasing his burdens onto the LORD. David’s relationship with ADONAI Ra’ah (The Shepherd LORD), he understood that his salvation did not reside in the works of humanity. Might warrior though he was, he knew Who sustained him.
Some translations use the word “anxiety” rather than worries. We use that word a lot these days. As someone who suffers from a diagnosed anxiety disorder, casting my anxiety on the LORD begins with a choice, and an understanding that it is a step-by-step process. Because I know that it is possible — GOD said so — I have that faith that He will sustain me.
Casting our Anxieties
According to the Mayo Clinic:
“Experiencing occasional anxiety is a normal part of life. However, people with anxiety disorders frequently have intense, excessive and persistent worry and fear about everyday situations. Often, anxiety disorders involve repeated episodes of sudden feelings of intense anxiety and fear or terror that reach a peak within minutes (panic attacks).” *
What I love about how GOD works is that He had already developed a “prescription” for those who have a diagnosed disease and those who suffer from “normal” anxiety.
Here’s what works for me — maybe it will help you:
- Recognize My Body’s Reaction: Over the years I’ve learned how to recognize my body’s reactions when I’m about to go into anxiety/panic mode. A racing heart and mind, tensing of the muscles, hyperventilation, brain fog.
- Stop/pause: Once I recognize what’s happening, I stop what I’m doing and go somewhere quiet (if possible) and let the LORD know, I know what’s happening. Even though He already knows.
- Prayer/Praise/Understanding: A simple prayer like, “Okay, Father, Your will be done. You are in control” gets the process rolling. I’ll turn on praise music. And I work to abide in the understanding that, “this too shall pass.”
- Rest: Sometimes I just need to rest and give myself permission to do so — even though our Father says we need it. Rest can be as simple as stepping away from whatever I’m doing and “walk it out.”
- Seek Prayer and Comfort with Truth: There are rare moments when I need to call my husband to have him just sit with me. He’ll quietly pray and his hugs help my body relax. Afterward, we might watch a funny movie. If you don’t have a retired “Bob” hanging around, go to a trusted friend or clergy or counselor. Or call them and either talk or let them speak wisdom and truth.
How we cast our worries and anxieties on Him will vary with each of us. I probably cast differently than you and that is okay. The point is to do it.
In this busy season, please remember to take care of ourselves — physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Release our burdens of worry and anxiousness to Him, because He cares for us.
Shabbat shalom.
*https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anxiety/symptoms-causes/syc-20350961
