Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 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. 1 Peter 5:7-9
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. Ephesians 6:10-11
These are some hard words to read from Scripture. Always be ready, because you never know when the devil might try to sneak out from around the corner. Hard to read, but you already know what that is like. You get home from work and get in a fight with your spouse about something silly for the third day in a row, even though you are really not angry with them. You come home late from another meeting to crying kids, and lots of work around the house; and you feel defeated before you even take off you coat. Before you sit down to the balance the checkbook you cross you fingers, wondering how you are going to pay all the bills since your hours were cut at work. You just feel beat up, tired, worn out, and frustrated. There are not enough hours in the day, money in the bank account or time to “catch up” on sleep. You wonder when it is this going to get better.
Scripture writes to encourage us, that we are not alone in this. Others experience similar circumstances, other people know what we are feeling, and other people have been there and done that. We each have hard days, discouragements, and spiritual challenges. Peter says that you need to cast our anxiety on God, because he cares for you and looks out for you. We are reminded in Ephesians to be strong in God and His power, not our own. We can stand in God’s power, His strength, and His provision. We can encourage each other regularly, we can pray always, thank God often, and have hope that He will carry is through whatever we are in the middle of right now.
Pastor Bill
Discussion Questions
1. What anxiety are you carrying right now?
2. Who do you know who is hurting right now that could you encourage or pray for?