The last few weeks, we have been talking about our feelings. What to do when we are frustrated. How to be more content in our lives. And the best ways to combat anxiety. For me, the point is obvious. Look to God and cast your cares on Him because God cares for you.
A few years ago, I spoke at a women’s retreat. The whole weekend centered around this one little verse from 1 Peter 5:7,
“Cast your cares on God because God cares for you.”
My Bible actually reads, “Cast your anxiety on God,” which resonates with me since I struggle with anxiety.
As I think about casting, I think about fishing. When you cast, you rear back and launch your weight, line and bait forward away from you. Using this metaphor, I imagine throwing my cares away from me, propelling my frustration out, or launching my discontentment or anxiety.
As I often do, I felt compelled to look up the definition of the word, ‘cast.’ I was surprised to read, “to shed light on.” This is so God. When we look to God with are cares, God sheds His light on our situation. If we will look to God, God will reveal things to us, root causes, alternatives, and even solutions.
1 John 1:5-8 says, “This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.”
Ephesians 5:8 instructs us to walk in the light of the Lord.
Googling “the light of God,” I read, “a theological concept that represents the divine presence, and is often used as a metaphor for the revelation of truth. In the Bible, the light of God is described in several ways, including:
- A guide. Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
- A source of truth, Matthew 4:16 reads, “The people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light.”
- The source of our spiritual life; 2 Corinthians 4:6 says, “God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts.”
- A source of fellowship, 1 John 1:3 says that embracing the gospel message brings us into fellowship with God the Father through Jesus Christ.
God calls us to be the light of the world, and to share that light with others. Every time we enter into communion with God, each time we trust God enough to cast our cares upon Him, God shines His light on us. That light fills us and radiates from us. Others cannot help but to notice.
So, the next time you are feeling overwhelmed by the circumstances of your life, look to God. Spend some time in prayer with Him and tell God all about it. Know that when you cast your cares on God, God shines His light on you. Find comfort in that Light today.
Oh Great Giver of Light, shine on us your truth so that we may grow in the knowledge of who You are. May we always remember to cast our cares on You because You care for us. In Jesus Name, Amen.
P.S. Leave me a comment below because I love hearing from you. Forward this message to a friend who might need some encouragement today. Post this message on Facebook and tag me in it. Until next time, be confident that God loves you! -M
One thought on “Cast your cares”
And the darkness will not overcome the Light! Very good. Love you