Cast your anxieties on him, not you - April 27

Today’s Readings: AM Psalm 25; PM Psalm 9, 15; Exod. 18:13–27; 1 Pet. 5:1–14; Matt. (1:1–17),3:1–6

Last week, we heard a passage from John where Jesus told his disciples to not let their hearts be troubled. They are intended to be words of comfort on the night before Jesus is crucified. In today’s Epistle, there are new words of encouragement, “Cast all your anxieties on him, for he cares about you.” While the context is certainly different, there is also a different approach to providing care in the midst of uncertainty. In today’s reading, we are told that we will be anxious, but that we can cast those anxieties on God because God cares. Instead of being told not to worry, there is an acknowledgment that we will have worry, but there is also a reminder that we won’t worry alone.

If we are to assume that we will all have a certain level of uneasiness in life, then a fair question to raise is what is the source or root of that anxiety? Is what we carry around related to how we might anticipate our own suffering or the pain of loved ones and others? Peter continues, “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will restore, establish, and strengthen you.” I don’t believe that Peter means to claim that it is God’s will that we suffer. Instead, maybe that part of being human means that we will experience suffering. If it is what is intended, then is it something that should weigh us down or cause us to panic?

The Scriptures commend that what is earthly is temporary and not eternal. Maybe this is why we can cast our anxieties on to God, to carry for us, knowing that strength and restoration are coming in due time. Maybe you already feel strengthened and renewed, or maybe the reality of our common life in this time is causing you to suffer more than you had previously realized. Does naming what we are experiencing allow God to share that burden? Does knowing that it is shared, help you worry less?

- John+

Questions for Reflection

  • What keeps you up at night? What are you most anxious about in this time of Covid-19? Can you say this out loud?

Daily Challenge

  • Vocalize with a friend or loved one, one of the things that worry you as a way of “casting your anxieties.”

John Burruss