Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.

1 Peter 5:7, AMP

Nothing takes God by surprise. Nothing. Life takes me by surprise often. I make my plans, set my goals and wham—a diagnosis, a new pain, an unexpected expense, a relationship turns sour—and I am surprised. At my age, I should no longer get surprised. Life happens and, sometimes, it is more of a kick in the gut than a stroll on the beach.

Even so, none of this surprises God.

Reeling from the news can send me in two different directions. I can flip out and rant and rave and stress out and lose sleep. Or I can cast my cares on the God who saw the storm coming and has already mapped out a plan.

This concept reminds me of fishing. There is prep work to be done, getting the right size line and hook on the right size pole for the fish and picking the spot and the time of day and the bait. But once that hook is cast out into the water, the results are out of your hands. Not much to do but wait at this point. I am not a fisher-woman primarily because I hate waiting (and I am not too wild about cleaning fish).

Likewise, when bad news comes, there is only so much I can do and having done all, I cast my cares upon the Lord,  and enter a time of waiting and resting.

What might this look like? For me, it means making a conscious decision to control my racing thoughts. Purposing to focus on God’s promises (one is all I need) instead of the evidence surrounding me isn’t always easy. This kind of intentionality requires a discipline that doesn’t come natural for me. Far more natural for me is to give into worry and stress. What about you?  What might the waiting that follows casting look like for you?

This verse tells us that God watches over me and over you in love. He cares for us affectionately. Nothing about our life escapes His notice and while we are trying to figure out the possible endings and scenarios, He is behind the scenes working these all out for us because of His great love and concern for us.

Worrying says, “No thanks God, I’d rather do this myself.”

Dr. Phil would say, “How’s that working for you?”

Two choices—cast my cares on God or keep them and deal with them myself: I get to choose.

Father, forgive me for the myriad of times that I fail to cast my cares on You. Why is forgetting Your love and care for me so easy to do when a trial hits? You have been so faithful and brought me through so much and yet, I still spend more time worrying than I ought. Please help me to remember Your great love and to lean into Your great love. And when that isn’t my first or second thought, would you gently remind me that You are waiting for me to cast my cares? In Jesus’ name, amen.

I would love to hear from you. Please let me know if I can be praying for you as well.

pic credit: daylekinney.com

pic credit: lamiglass.com