CAST YOUR CARES

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God (PHILIPPIANS 4:6).

One of the psalmists wrote, “Be still, and know that I am God” (PSALM 46:10). Paul told the Philippians, “Do not be anxious” (PHILIPPIANS 4:6). And Peter reminded his readers to put all their worries on God (1 PETER 5:7).

How can we stop being anxious and be “still” instead? Only through prayer and trust in our loving God (PHILIPPIANS 4:6-7). When we bring our worries to God and put them on His strong shoulders, we can step back from the things going on in our lives and simply rest with Him.

This doesn’t mean that those who are “still” with God will never have things to stress about. This is about being able to have confidence and peace even in the stress and worry. Our problems don’t go away when we pray, but our focus is brought back to God, our Father who can and will keep us going and meet our needs.

Christians who stay calm when life is hard aren’t following a formula. There is no ‘five steps to avoid worry’. They simply know who their God is, His love for them and His promise to be with them in everything.

If you’ve never taken time out to be still with God when you’re stressed, why don’t you give it a go. Talk with Him, read some of the Bible (maybe a Psalm) and turn your eyes away from the stress and back onto your God, Maker, Saviour and Provider. DR

To pray about . .

Dear God, please give me Your peace as I spend time with You and trust my anxious thoughts into Your care. Thank You for being right here with me, even in my worry and stress. You are bigger than my biggest worry. BE

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.