“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for
you.” (1Peter 5:7 NIV)
Anxiety . . . one of satan’s best
and most used “fiery darts” against Christians. It worked so well on Adam and
Eve in the Garden that he has continued its use throughout history. He created
fear in them by making them doubt God.
and most used “fiery darts” against Christians. It worked so well on Adam and
Eve in the Garden that he has continued its use throughout history. He created
fear in them by making them doubt God.
Anxiety is the results of
unanswered questions . . . perhaps unanswerable ones. Did God say? Does he
really mean it? Anxiety results from rejecting what God said. “You will not die.”
Anxiety results from our own pride. “Your eyes will be opened and you will be
like God.” (See Genesis 3:1-5)
unanswered questions . . . perhaps unanswerable ones. Did God say? Does he
really mean it? Anxiety results from rejecting what God said. “You will not die.”
Anxiety results from our own pride. “Your eyes will be opened and you will be
like God.” (See Genesis 3:1-5)
We should not regard anxiety as a
sin, but rather as the fiery darts of “your enemy the devil (who) prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to
devour” (v. 8). We cannot stop his prowling, devouring actions, but we can
deflect them away from us.
sin, but rather as the fiery darts of “your enemy the devil (who) prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to
devour” (v. 8). We cannot stop his prowling, devouring actions, but we can
deflect them away from us.
How? First, we do what Peter instructs in verse 7. We
cast all our anxiety on him, knowing that he has our best interests at heart.
Second, we do what he instructs in verse 8. We remain alert and control
ourselves.
cast all our anxiety on him, knowing that he has our best interests at heart.
Second, we do what he instructs in verse 8. We remain alert and control
ourselves.
Our lives would be immeasurably improved if we would
simply practice this Apostle’s counsel. How we would grow! What happiness we
would enjoy! What victory! Oh, yes! It is entirely possible. I do not claim any
perfection in this respect, yet I am confident of the Word of God and the God
of the Word.
simply practice this Apostle’s counsel. How we would grow! What happiness we
would enjoy! What victory! Oh, yes! It is entirely possible. I do not claim any
perfection in this respect, yet I am confident of the Word of God and the God
of the Word.
Dear Father, thank you for caring for us and all our
needs. Empower us with alert, self-control so that we may constantly cast our
anxieties on you. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
needs. Empower us with alert, self-control so that we may constantly cast our
anxieties on you. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be strong and courageous today alert and self-controlled,