Casting all your anxieties on him (our loving Father), because he cares for you. 1 Pet. 5:7
Heavenly Father, the best part of this verse is the last four words, “he cares for you.” When anything you ask of us starts with this affirmation of your compassion and kindness, it’s all the motivation and means we need for following through—when it’s easy and when it’s really hard. For instance…
“Your Father cares for you, so bring your aching, wounded heart to him.” “You have a Father who cares for you. Stop running, stop hiding… come home. The lights are on.” “You’re not an orphan, Abba is your loving, powerful Father. You can trust him with your faith-allergic kids, the transition you didn’t see coming, the loneliness you feel in your marriage, the overwhelming sense of vulnerability you woke up with today… and etcetera.” Father, whatever our need, you care for us. Thank you.
On this August Thursday, you are calling us to cast our anxieties on you. By faith, I envision myself standing on a very high cliff, and below me is an ocean of your grace. From this high place I seek to drop my dread-baggage into your welcome and supply. Sometimes I don’t have the energy to “cast.” Dropping is easier, and the higher the cliff, the less I’m able to grab back what I’ve given to you. (Friends, pause, and “drop” some of your anxieties into Abba’s grace-ocean.)
Father, you’ve numbered our hairs, sorrows, and days. You know our fears, and bottle our tears. No one cares for us like you. The Gospel is the clearest, loudest, boldest, kindest proof this is true. Thank you, and So Very Amen.