“Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”
1 Peter 5:7-8 ESV
You get butterflies in your stomach and tingling in your fingers; your heart races, you get a headache, and you feel the hair on the back of your neck standing up. You know what anxiety feels like, perhaps all too well. Perhaps this is why God writes about it in scripture, encouraging us to cast our anxiety onto him. God even takes it a step farther, reminding us why it is so important to cast our anxiety on him.
We are reminded that the devil can sense our anxiety and is quick to move. Choose your imagery, the devil can smell blood in the water, or see fear in your eyes, the devil is looking for the overwhelming anxiety to drive you to think and act unlike you typically do. Anxiety is the dark voice that whispers, you are worthless, you are a loser, and you are a disappointment. It’s the voice that whispers be afraid, assume the worst, and don’t trust anyone. And God anticipates all of it.
God’s reminds us that He has wide enough shoulders to bear the burden, to handle the butterflies, and to quiet the dark voices. His promise is not make anxiety disappear, instead God promises to bear the burden with you, to lighten your load, to protect you from the devil, who is hoping to trip you up in your own anxiety.
Pastor Bill
Discussion Questions
- Think about a time you were anxious recently. Do you see any patterns in your anxiety (how you react, what causes it, etc.)?
- Take some solitude to wait before God with your anxiety, pray for God to take the burden, and to strength you.