What are cares? Cares refer to the worries, stress, difficulties, and anxieties in our lives. In this world, there will always be difficult circumstances which can cause us to have a lot of cares. Nevertheless, if these cares are not adequately addressed, they can become overwhelming and be the source of brokenness. The way to address cares is to cast them. When someone cast a vote during elections, it means that person has formally deposited her ballot paper in a ballot box and that person has no access to the ballot paper anymore. The focus of this write-up is to encourage us to cast our cares because if these cares are not casted they would surely be the foundation for brokenness in the long run. The question is where do you cast your cares?
We cast our cares in the one who is ultimately able to handle our cares.
“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time. Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” (1 Peter 5:6-7).
Dear friend, Jesus Christ is calling us today to cast our cares to him. The accumulated cares will become weights too heavy for you to bear and this will eventually break you. Yes, you can talk to people about your pain and get help . Yes God can use people to help us in times of distress. Please you can read more on wise counsel in our previous write up here –Tips on Dealing with Brokenness. Notwithstanding, Jesus is the ultimate one who is able to bear our burdens. As we live in this world, we would always have trouble but we overcome this trouble by anchoring on Jesus Christ who has overcome the world (John 16:33). Jesus Christ is a good shepherd who cares for you. He knows what you go through, and does not expect you to handle it alone because He knows you do not have the ability to bear all the burdens and tribulations of life. So you can cast the cares on Jesus Christ, why? – Because He cares for you. Casting your cares is also a sign of humility before God and God will exalt the humble in due time.
How do we cast our cares on Jesus Christ?
- Through Prayer. Prayer is the way we communicate with God. In Prayers, you can you can talk about your worries to God. Pray to God to help you deal with the cares of life. In prayer lay the burdens to God. In this life, we would always have troubles but we are called to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Talking with God and hearing God talk back to you gives peace which transcends human understanding. Sometimes, the circumstance that causes brokenness may still be there around you but God gives you peace in that situation which is uncommon to human beings and beyond your own understanding. So, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanks giving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
- Hear God. What is God saying about the situation you are going through? The fundamental way of hearing God is through the word of God- the Bible. Turn to scripture, meditate on it day and night. God’s words of love, hope, faith, comfort etc are embedded in scriptures. Deuteronomy 8:3b “…Man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.” The essence of our lives in the word of God. God’s word has to solution to every circumstance in life. Cling to the word of God.
- Trust in God. Trust in God is built in the place of intimate relationship with God, powered by consistent meditation on the word of God and prayers. It is hard to trust someone you don’t know. If we do not know Jesus Christ we would not know that he has triumphed over every tribulation in the world and if we do not know him, we cannot trust in him and if we do not trust in him, we would not cast our cares on him. Desire to know God more through Jesus Christ and as God keeps revealing himself through to us through the Holy Spirit, we would learn to trust God and cling to his word. It is at the place of trust that we cast cares. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways submit to him and he will make your path straight”. Proverbs 3:5-6
- Do not fear. Some bible scholars say the phrase “FEAR NOT” appears 365 times in the bible stipulating that every day may have a course to fear. Fear is our subtle enemy and an entry point for the devil to manipulate our lives. Fear sometimes causes us to be anxious and this builds up to carrying cares which can leave us in a state of brokenness. Looking at the happenings in the world, in our families, in our lives is enough reason to fear. The way to cast out fear is clinging to the perfect love of God who is always with you, to help and lift you up even out of the troubles of life. Isaiah 41:10 “Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
Dear friends, even as Christians, we need to learn to cast our cares on Jesus Christ. If these cares are not laid aside, they become weights which break us and can hinder us from fulfilling the purpose for our existence. “…Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith…” Hebrews 12:1-2
For someone reading the write-up, who is so broken by life’s challenges, who does not know Jesus Christ and wondering how you can get to Jesus Christ and lay your burdens, don’t worry. We come to Jesus by faith. If you desire to have a relationship with Jesus Christ, you can join us to say this prayer of faith, not just jokingly but let it be heartfelt.
Lord God, You are a great and loving father. Lord, I acknowledge my sins and wrong doings. I come to you this day to cleanse me of my sin and make me whole. I believe in Jesus Christ who died on the cross for my sins and I commit my life to You this day. Take my heart, cleanse me and consecrate me and use me for your glory. Thank you Lord for saving me. Through the name of Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior, Amen.
If you genuinely made this prayer, believe God has heard you and you are welcomed to the family of believers. We encourage you to grow in faith by studying and meditating on the word of God, making prayer, praise and thanksgiving a lifestyle, strive to flee evil and bad habits, fellowship with other believers to grow in knowledge of the word of God and seek spiritual guidance. If you need help, please feel free to contact us @ arisesisterministries@gmail.com or leave a comment in the comment section and we will connect with you.
Remain Blessed.