There are numerous human frailties that the Bible deals with. Most of
them rob Christians of the abundant life the Jesus promised. (John
10:10) One of these is worry. Jesus says it this way...
"Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will
eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on.
Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? (Matthew
6:25) The first thing we see is Jesus dealing with human necessities
which cause most people to worry. He finishes His statement with a
question that we must truly consider, "Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?"
To answer that question, one must decide who it is that is master of their life. Jesus tells us, "No one can serve two masters..."
(Matthew 6:24) Although Jesus is talking about serving God or wealth it
still applies to each person when it comes to worrying. Worry allow
one's mind to dwell on difficulty or troubles as well as excessive
concern or uncertainty over actual or potential problems. Although the
following statement will probably not go over well with some, the bottom
line is, for a Christian, worry is sin. Why? It is an actual rejection
of God's Word as the truth and the acceptance of what the world or the
devil say is true. When we think about it, the world is filled with the
ways of the devil and Jesus tells us that, "...there is no truth in him (the devil). When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it." (John 8:44) Trusting in what the world has to say rather than what
God's Word says, not only promotes worry but again it is sin. We may want
to deny that worry is sin but Paul tells us, "...for whatever is not from faith is sin." (Romans 14:23)
Jesus uncovers the reason why worry takes hold of the Christians life, "...O you of little faith." (Matthew 6:30) Well you may say "I have faith" and you would be absolutely correct. The apostle Paul tells us in Romans, "...God has dealt to each one a measure of faith." (Romans 12:3) But what have you done with the faith that
God has given to you? If you still deal with worry it is obvious that
you have not permitted God's Word to take hold of your recreated spirit, to grow your faith, "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:17) nor have you acted upon God's Word, "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves...I will show you my faith by my works." (James 1:22, 2:18)
You may be thinking, "well how can I rid myself of worry?" It is a
training process that every Christian (if you worry) must work through.
We begin with the obvious, "And do not be conformed to this world,
but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what
is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." (Romans 12:2); "Be renewed in the spirit of your mind."
(Ephesians 4:23) Renewing our minds with God's Word will cause us to
speak about our circumstances completely different. The writer of
Hebrews says, "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful." (Hebrews 10:23).
Basically, a mind renewed in God's Word, changes what
we think, what we think changes what we believe, what we believe is what
we speak and what we speak is how we will act. By giving the Word of
God the dominion over our life, we will learn to confess and stand on His Word not
the circumstances of life. This will eliminate worry because we learn
to let go of our ability and trust in God's ability. We learn to place
our faith in and on God's Word. In doing so we will do as Peter tells us, "casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7) There is no sense in us worrying if God says that He is going to handle the problem.
Finally, Jesus also tells us that we are of more value to our heavenly
Father than all the rest of creation and that the Father knows
everything that we need. (Matthew 6:26-32) Take some time and meditate
on this fact. You are of more value to the Father than ALL of creation.
Mix this with faith and you will see worry flee as well as seeing the works of God manifest in your life. (John 5:20) .
Showing posts with label Worry. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Worry. Show all posts
Monday, May 11, 2020
Monday, September 10, 2018
What Problem
In a quick summary of Matthew 6:25-34 Jesus tells us that worry robs us of life because when we worry it shows a lack of faith, "...O you of little faith." Jesus tells us that we are not to place our affections on material things, not even our very life, "Therefore I say to you, do
not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink;
nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food
and the body more than clothing?" What He does tell us, is that our focus is to be on "seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness." Why? Because "your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things." Jesus also tells us that we are of more value than all other created things.
The Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul addresses the same issue, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God." (Philippians 4:6) Although to be anxious can be, in a sense, a good thing such as, "I am anxious to do the outreach that we have scheduled on Saturday," the Apostle Paul is using it in the context with, experiencing worry, unease, or nervousness, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome, worry. The Amplified Version puts the first portion of Philippians 4:6 this way, "Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything..."
The next part of Philippians 4:6 in the Amplified Version tells us, “...But in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.”(AMP) Therefore, a believers response through faith should be, "Father God, you said do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, so I am going to commit myself and my circumstance to you and do what Your Word tells me do. I choose not to fret or have any anxiety about anything. This problem is no longer mine, I give it to you and I thank you that you will work it out, in Jesus Name. I also stand on your promise, "...that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28)
If we apply faith, this is an easy thing to do. However, for most believers it really isn't easy. Many believers have been raised where a parent, family member or someone they were close to were worriers and they themselves have adopted the same habit. We also know that the devil will use his arsenal to rob people from believing God. He used deception, although not specifically worry or anxiety, all the way back in the Garden of Eden to get the woman to reason that maybe God was not being completely honest. The devil deception continues today whether believers accept it or not. This is why the Apostle Paul reveals to us, that believers are to "Cast down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ." (2 Corinthians 10:5)
Although the devil may try to use worry and or anxiety to sway the believe from faith in God's Word, we simply apply faith to God's Word, and boldly say to the devil, "Satan, worry and anxiety are not from God they come from you. So you take these things and leave me in the name of Jesus. I choose to cast my care upon the Lord because He affectionately and watchfully care for me." We say this with all confidence in God's Word because God also promises, "and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:7)
As believers take a more aggressive part of no longer focusing upon problems, but on, "seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness" and "fighting the good fight of faith," they will enjoy more of the abundant life here on earth that Jesus said He came to bring. God's Word has the solution to any and every problem that believers may face, "His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness..." (2 Peter 1:3) So, if the devil tries to put worry or anxiety on you, simply respond to God's Word, "So be subject to God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him], and he will flee from you." (James 4:7 AMP).
The Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul addresses the same issue, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God." (Philippians 4:6) Although to be anxious can be, in a sense, a good thing such as, "I am anxious to do the outreach that we have scheduled on Saturday," the Apostle Paul is using it in the context with, experiencing worry, unease, or nervousness, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome, worry. The Amplified Version puts the first portion of Philippians 4:6 this way, "Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything..."
The next part of Philippians 4:6 in the Amplified Version tells us, “...But in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.”(AMP) Therefore, a believers response through faith should be, "Father God, you said do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, so I am going to commit myself and my circumstance to you and do what Your Word tells me do. I choose not to fret or have any anxiety about anything. This problem is no longer mine, I give it to you and I thank you that you will work it out, in Jesus Name. I also stand on your promise, "...that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28)
If we apply faith, this is an easy thing to do. However, for most believers it really isn't easy. Many believers have been raised where a parent, family member or someone they were close to were worriers and they themselves have adopted the same habit. We also know that the devil will use his arsenal to rob people from believing God. He used deception, although not specifically worry or anxiety, all the way back in the Garden of Eden to get the woman to reason that maybe God was not being completely honest. The devil deception continues today whether believers accept it or not. This is why the Apostle Paul reveals to us, that believers are to "Cast down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ." (2 Corinthians 10:5)
Although the devil may try to use worry and or anxiety to sway the believe from faith in God's Word, we simply apply faith to God's Word, and boldly say to the devil, "Satan, worry and anxiety are not from God they come from you. So you take these things and leave me in the name of Jesus. I choose to cast my care upon the Lord because He affectionately and watchfully care for me." We say this with all confidence in God's Word because God also promises, "and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:7)
As believers take a more aggressive part of no longer focusing upon problems, but on, "seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness" and "fighting the good fight of faith," they will enjoy more of the abundant life here on earth that Jesus said He came to bring. God's Word has the solution to any and every problem that believers may face, "His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness..." (2 Peter 1:3) So, if the devil tries to put worry or anxiety on you, simply respond to God's Word, "So be subject to God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him], and he will flee from you." (James 4:7 AMP).
Monday, April 30, 2018
Why Should We Care
There seems to be many people today who have a constant problem with worrying. In fact almost everyone has it. It even seems to be contagious. It also can lead to all kinds of physical and mental disorders. People who worry excessively throughout their life, look at most everything from a negative perspective, that something bad is going to happen to them, someone they know or even just things in general. But the people who worry so much are forgetting some very important life lessons, the most important being, worrying doesn't change a single thing, it does not help one bit. In the "Sermon on the Mount," Jesus speaks to us concerning worry. He says...
"Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?...For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." (Matthew 6:25-27, 32-34)
Let's be honest. There are many uncertainties that we face on a daily bases, but Jesus tells us pretty much was was stated above. Worrying doesn't change a single thing, it does not help one bit. However, Jesus gives us the greatest advice that we need to apply if we want to move away from worrying. First, we need to know without doubt that our Heavenly Father knows everything that we need, period! Next, we are to focus on this very important thing, seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, (and as we do, believe that) all these things (things pertaining to life) shall be added to you.
Worry leads to the waste of vital energy and can disturbs our health systems, impairing our ability, and if severe enough, can lead to mental disorders. The fact is, worrying comes when we think of negative "future" possibilities, that is, thinking about negative things that could happen although they may never happen at all. The bottom line is this, worry is a reflection of a lack of faith. It is steeped in doubt, fear and unbelief. It is a lack of trusting in God's ability and willingness to take care of His children no matter what circumstances or situations they may face. The Holy Spirit through the Apostle Peter tells, us, "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)
When believers learn to cast their every care on the Lord and trust Him, they will come to find, that there aren't enough enemies in all the world to defeat them. The person(s) who trusts absolutely in the wisdom of God the Father and does not lean upon his own understanding, can face the world knowing that he who, "Trusts in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6). There it is. The Lord will direct our path.
Jesus tells us, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one.” (John 10:27-30) What wonderful news, "our Father is greater than all." How we need this precious, wonderful fact to sink down into our heart and fill our mind. The Father loves us, knows us, and cares for us. He is greater than any problem that confronts us and any circumstance that tries to imprison us.
Jesus said, "for the Father Himself loves you..." (John 16:27) "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him." (John 14:23) God's love for His children and our response to it make us one. Say out loud right now, "My Heavenly Father loves me; He is going to see to it that I do not have needs that will embarrass me; He will help me carry my load; My Father loves me and gave His Son up for me; Although His love is for multitudes, His love is specifically for me; I no longer have to be afraid of life with a Lover like Him; I know that He will enable me to make good; He will enable me to make a success of life; He will give me the strength to overcome every day; He lives in me and makes His home in me; My Father is greater than all!!!
The Holy Spirit also speaks to us through the Apostle Paul revealing for us another golden nugget of truth to rid ourselves of worry. Of course this comes back to trusting in the Lord. He says, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you." (Philippians 4:6-9)
Folks, we are in good hands. Our Heavenly Father has given every one of His children the same rights in His family. Though a person may have a different gift than another, he is not any dearer to the heart of the Father than any other of His children. The Father has no favorites. (Romans 2:11) The closer that our fellowship is with the Father and Son, the sweeter and richer our life will be. So, let us cast all of our cares on Him for He cares for us affectionately and cares about us watchfully. May the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you...
"Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?...For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." (Matthew 6:25-27, 32-34)
Let's be honest. There are many uncertainties that we face on a daily bases, but Jesus tells us pretty much was was stated above. Worrying doesn't change a single thing, it does not help one bit. However, Jesus gives us the greatest advice that we need to apply if we want to move away from worrying. First, we need to know without doubt that our Heavenly Father knows everything that we need, period! Next, we are to focus on this very important thing, seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, (and as we do, believe that) all these things (things pertaining to life) shall be added to you.
Worry leads to the waste of vital energy and can disturbs our health systems, impairing our ability, and if severe enough, can lead to mental disorders. The fact is, worrying comes when we think of negative "future" possibilities, that is, thinking about negative things that could happen although they may never happen at all. The bottom line is this, worry is a reflection of a lack of faith. It is steeped in doubt, fear and unbelief. It is a lack of trusting in God's ability and willingness to take care of His children no matter what circumstances or situations they may face. The Holy Spirit through the Apostle Peter tells, us, "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)
When believers learn to cast their every care on the Lord and trust Him, they will come to find, that there aren't enough enemies in all the world to defeat them. The person(s) who trusts absolutely in the wisdom of God the Father and does not lean upon his own understanding, can face the world knowing that he who, "Trusts in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6). There it is. The Lord will direct our path.
Jesus tells us, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one.” (John 10:27-30) What wonderful news, "our Father is greater than all." How we need this precious, wonderful fact to sink down into our heart and fill our mind. The Father loves us, knows us, and cares for us. He is greater than any problem that confronts us and any circumstance that tries to imprison us.
Jesus said, "for the Father Himself loves you..." (John 16:27) "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him." (John 14:23) God's love for His children and our response to it make us one. Say out loud right now, "My Heavenly Father loves me; He is going to see to it that I do not have needs that will embarrass me; He will help me carry my load; My Father loves me and gave His Son up for me; Although His love is for multitudes, His love is specifically for me; I no longer have to be afraid of life with a Lover like Him; I know that He will enable me to make good; He will enable me to make a success of life; He will give me the strength to overcome every day; He lives in me and makes His home in me; My Father is greater than all!!!
The Holy Spirit also speaks to us through the Apostle Paul revealing for us another golden nugget of truth to rid ourselves of worry. Of course this comes back to trusting in the Lord. He says, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you." (Philippians 4:6-9)
Folks, we are in good hands. Our Heavenly Father has given every one of His children the same rights in His family. Though a person may have a different gift than another, he is not any dearer to the heart of the Father than any other of His children. The Father has no favorites. (Romans 2:11) The closer that our fellowship is with the Father and Son, the sweeter and richer our life will be. So, let us cast all of our cares on Him for He cares for us affectionately and cares about us watchfully. May the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you...
Monday, October 31, 2016
Not A Care In The World
I am sure you have heard the expression "not a care in the world." It is an idiom which means to be completely happy as a result of being free from all worry and or anxiety. Now for most, this may seem out of reach, to actually live life free from all worry and or anxiety, but the reality is, not having a care in the world is exactly the life that our Heavenly Father has provided His children through faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus said it this way, "Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear? For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things." (Matthew 6:31-32) "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)
Two main things that we must consider. First, "Do not worry...For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things." Second, "I will give you rest." Believers are not to worry. Worrying gives way to anxiety or unease to where one's mind dwells on difficulty, troubles or the uncertainty of actual or potential problems. However, Jesus tells us, "I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?“So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?" (Matthew 6:25-30)
Believers must come to know without doubt, that in every area of our lives, our all-knowing Heavenly Father loves us, desires to take care of us and is able to do so, far greater than all the best human father put together could ever do. (Matthew 7:11) However, with worry comes an element of torment which robs us of the very thing that opens the door to our Father's care for us, our faith. Notice Jesus says, "O you of little faith." Faith is the quintessential required by God for all who come to Him and live through Him and for Him, " But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." (Hebrews 11:6) The Bible records four times, "The just shall live by faith." (Habakkuk 2:4; Romans 1:17; Galatians 311; Hebrews 10:38) This is not a suggestion and therefore there is no getting around this. If believers want the rest that God has provided, then we must shed ourselves of all worry and anxiety and exercise faith in our faithful God and Father.
Jesus also tells us, "men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth..." (Luke 21:6) Fear is a product of the devil (2 Timothy 1:7) and I believe that fear is worry or anxiety left uncheck and taken to a higher level of destroying faith and robbing believers from all that our Heavenly Father has promised us. Notice, that men's hearts will fail due to things coming on the earth. In other words, things that are not real, they have not happened and there is no assurance that they will happen. Now let us look at what the Apostle Peter tells us, "casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith..." (1 Peter 5:7-9) The Amplified Bible puts it this way, "casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully]. Be sober [well balanced and self-disciplined], be alert and cautious at all times. That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion [fiercely hungry], seeking someone to devour. But resist him, be firm in your faith..."
As we can see, believers are to cast, "throw something forcefully in a specified direction" their cares on the Lord because the devil is looking for believers on whom he can take advantage of, that is, to steel from, kill and or destroy. (John 10:10) Even the American Medical Association agrees with this in some sense. The AMA has stated, "the effects of worry can cause a host of health problems." Let us be honest. Health problems are not from God. This is why believers are to submit to God, be firm in our faith and resist the devil. The Apostle James tells us, "Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." (James 4:7) How do we resist the devil? By being "firm in your faith...", that is, trusting wholeheartedly in God. The Apostle Paul reveals a plan to rid ourselves of worry and anxiety, "Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God." (Philippians 4:6 AMP), that is, "casting all your cares upon Him." How? "by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God."
When we do this, God makes us a promise, "And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours]." (Philippians 4:7 AMP) There's the rest that the Lord said He would give us. Let's face it, everyone, at one time or another may find themselves in the difficulties of this life. The crises of life come to all of us. The difference is, if we know God's Word; if we know the Holy Spirit; if we know how to effectively offer our prayers to God and cast all of our cares on Him rather than holding on to them, then we will find the rest of the Lord and be free from worry and anxiety.
Unfortunately, many believer today are holding onto cares that produce worry and or anxiety which rob them from the abundant life that is only found in Christ our Lord. If this is you, God wants you to turn your cares over to Him right now. Anything and everything that is causing worry and anxiety to manifest in your life, our Heavenly Father is waiting to receive from you, but you must give it to Him. Maybe worrying has become a constant habit in your life. It does not matter. It is time to make a habit of exercising faith and cast your cares upon Him. Again, if this is you, then I encourage you to make this declaration of faith every time you find yourself worrying or being anxious over any of life's circumstances...
"Heavenly Father, I am casting my cares upon you. I am turning them over to You. I refuse to worry anymore. I refuse to let anxiety have place anymore. You said to cast all my cares on You because You care for me affectionately and You care about me watchfully. Right now, I release, (name the cares) and I give them to you. They are in Your hands and now I rest in you. Thank you Father for freeing me from worry and anxiety in Jesus Name."
No doubt, the devil will do all that he can to try and bring the cares that you have just cast on the Lord, back into your mind. If or when he tries to do this, simply laugh at him and remind him that you have given the situation over into the very capable hands of your Heavenly Father because He care for you affectionately and He care about you watchfully. Paul also gives us a great way to help us guard our mind against the cares of life trying to take hold of us. He tells us, "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things." (Philippians 4:8) May the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ rule your heart and mind!
Two main things that we must consider. First, "Do not worry...For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things." Second, "I will give you rest." Believers are not to worry. Worrying gives way to anxiety or unease to where one's mind dwells on difficulty, troubles or the uncertainty of actual or potential problems. However, Jesus tells us, "I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?“So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?" (Matthew 6:25-30)
Believers must come to know without doubt, that in every area of our lives, our all-knowing Heavenly Father loves us, desires to take care of us and is able to do so, far greater than all the best human father put together could ever do. (Matthew 7:11) However, with worry comes an element of torment which robs us of the very thing that opens the door to our Father's care for us, our faith. Notice Jesus says, "O you of little faith." Faith is the quintessential required by God for all who come to Him and live through Him and for Him, " But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." (Hebrews 11:6) The Bible records four times, "The just shall live by faith." (Habakkuk 2:4; Romans 1:17; Galatians 311; Hebrews 10:38) This is not a suggestion and therefore there is no getting around this. If believers want the rest that God has provided, then we must shed ourselves of all worry and anxiety and exercise faith in our faithful God and Father.
Jesus also tells us, "men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth..." (Luke 21:6) Fear is a product of the devil (2 Timothy 1:7) and I believe that fear is worry or anxiety left uncheck and taken to a higher level of destroying faith and robbing believers from all that our Heavenly Father has promised us. Notice, that men's hearts will fail due to things coming on the earth. In other words, things that are not real, they have not happened and there is no assurance that they will happen. Now let us look at what the Apostle Peter tells us, "casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith..." (1 Peter 5:7-9) The Amplified Bible puts it this way, "casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully]. Be sober [well balanced and self-disciplined], be alert and cautious at all times. That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion [fiercely hungry], seeking someone to devour. But resist him, be firm in your faith..."
As we can see, believers are to cast, "throw something forcefully in a specified direction" their cares on the Lord because the devil is looking for believers on whom he can take advantage of, that is, to steel from, kill and or destroy. (John 10:10) Even the American Medical Association agrees with this in some sense. The AMA has stated, "the effects of worry can cause a host of health problems." Let us be honest. Health problems are not from God. This is why believers are to submit to God, be firm in our faith and resist the devil. The Apostle James tells us, "Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." (James 4:7) How do we resist the devil? By being "firm in your faith...", that is, trusting wholeheartedly in God. The Apostle Paul reveals a plan to rid ourselves of worry and anxiety, "Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God." (Philippians 4:6 AMP), that is, "casting all your cares upon Him." How? "by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God."
When we do this, God makes us a promise, "And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours]." (Philippians 4:7 AMP) There's the rest that the Lord said He would give us. Let's face it, everyone, at one time or another may find themselves in the difficulties of this life. The crises of life come to all of us. The difference is, if we know God's Word; if we know the Holy Spirit; if we know how to effectively offer our prayers to God and cast all of our cares on Him rather than holding on to them, then we will find the rest of the Lord and be free from worry and anxiety.
Unfortunately, many believer today are holding onto cares that produce worry and or anxiety which rob them from the abundant life that is only found in Christ our Lord. If this is you, God wants you to turn your cares over to Him right now. Anything and everything that is causing worry and anxiety to manifest in your life, our Heavenly Father is waiting to receive from you, but you must give it to Him. Maybe worrying has become a constant habit in your life. It does not matter. It is time to make a habit of exercising faith and cast your cares upon Him. Again, if this is you, then I encourage you to make this declaration of faith every time you find yourself worrying or being anxious over any of life's circumstances...
"Heavenly Father, I am casting my cares upon you. I am turning them over to You. I refuse to worry anymore. I refuse to let anxiety have place anymore. You said to cast all my cares on You because You care for me affectionately and You care about me watchfully. Right now, I release, (name the cares) and I give them to you. They are in Your hands and now I rest in you. Thank you Father for freeing me from worry and anxiety in Jesus Name."
No doubt, the devil will do all that he can to try and bring the cares that you have just cast on the Lord, back into your mind. If or when he tries to do this, simply laugh at him and remind him that you have given the situation over into the very capable hands of your Heavenly Father because He care for you affectionately and He care about you watchfully. Paul also gives us a great way to help us guard our mind against the cares of life trying to take hold of us. He tells us, "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things." (Philippians 4:8) May the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ rule your heart and mind!
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