Casting Anxiety
"Cast all your anxiety on him
because He cares for you."
1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)
Several years ago, I taught a women’s weekly evening Bible study on 1 Peter. That study was especially encouraging to me because we had a group of 6-8 young college women who faithfully came each week. I recognized both their commitment to studying God’s Word and the sacrifice they were making by coming after a long day of classes, study, and probably work.
In our second teaching session, I asked the group if, after reading 1 Peter, there was one verse that was particularly meaningful to them personally. One young woman, a double major mechanical engineering & education student, quickly spoke up and said ,"1 Peter 5:7."
"Read it and tell us why it's important to you," I instructed.
"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you," Sarah Elizabeth replied without hesitation.
"What kind of anxiety does a beautiful young college woman like you have right now?" I asked.
"Oh, you know... grades, tests, major, career, finances, finding the right husband, will I get the American dream?...just a few things like that!" she laughed as she shook her head. One look at Sarah Elizabeth's face told me she couldn't believe that I needed to even ask that question.
Sometimes the best teaching moments are totally unscripted. This was one of those moments.
"Sarah Elizabeth, why do you think the Apostle Peter chose to use the word "cast" when he penned those closing words? What picture comes to your mind when you think of that word?"
Sarah Elizabeth looked puzzled until I asked, "What career did Peter leave in order to follow Jesus?"
"He was a fisherman," she replied.
"And as a fisherman, how many times do you think Peter cast his fishing nets into the sea?" I asked gently.
"A bunch," she replied. One look at her face told me that the light bulb, that "Ah-ha"- moment of insight, understanding, and application- had turned on. From now on, I'm certain that each time Sarah Elizabeth experiences anxiety and chooses to remember the Apostle Peter's words, she will also see a mental picture of Peter casting his fishing nets out of his boat and into the sea. And that process of remembering, rehearsing, and recalling Peter's words will help Sarah Elizabeth to literally cast her own anxiety on God.
On Tuesday our nation collectively heads to the ballot box and literally casts our votes for the person who will govern us for the next four years. Regardless of whom we're voting for (or perhaps voting against), this presidential election cycle has certainly caused a lot of angst and anxiety for our country. Both presidential candidates have serious character flaws. Beyond character deficits, we’ve experienced two failed assassination attempts, a debate debacle that led to a replacement candidate with no primary, angry partisan rhetoric, outright lies and misrepresentations by both sides, and 24/7 nonstop social media and news coverage. All have contributed to our nation’s collective anxiety, uncertainty, and fear. The Apostle Peter's words still hold true for us today because Peter's words are God's words: "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." We cast; God cares.
Let's take God at His Word. As we cast our vote, let's cast all our anxiety on God and take captive every thought (2 Corinthians 10:5). God is not only the Rock of Ages (Isaiah 26:3-5) and the stability of our times (Isaiah 33:6 NASB); he is a good, good Father who cares for us. Most importantly, God is “the Most High God who is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes” (Daniel 4:17,32). We can trust him with this election no matter the outcome.
Finally, as we cast our anxiety, let's remember Peter, who ultimately cast his net, not just for fish, but for men (Matthew 4:19). And as you pray and vote, remember: We cast; God cares!