Casting All Your Care on Him
Casting All Your Care on Him
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of s sound mind (II Tim. 1:7).
Fear is a powerful enemy of the soul. It will disturb the mind, cause anxiety, all kinds of physical problems, and keep us from trusting and resting in God. He is the One who will cover us with His wings and where we can take refuge.
The elderly lady sat in her rocking chair day after day alone in the dark. Often, she would leave the TV on for noise and to watch a couple favorite shows. She rocked, slept, got up to go often to the bathroom, and would talk on the telephone. She took lots of medication for various reasons, and was scared of the neighbor’s dog. She lived having a great fear of getting hurt that kept her inside her own home with extra locks in addition to a key lock on all the doors. Her house was dark and foreboding, with windows and shades drawn tightly in case someone would see inside. Daily, her newspaper was placed on her doorknob so she could open it, reach around and get it easily. Her mail was taken to her door daily so she would not have to go outside to the mailbox. Watching the news, learning that a friend had fell in his house caused her greater fear and she would not go outside her home alone. She did not need a cane or wheelchair, and had two good legs, but fear kept her confined to her home in the dark.
There are those who have great fear over many things. They worry about all that will happen when most of it never does. They worry and get upset if someone holds them up when they have a dinner ready to serve. They get anxious over many things.
Martha is an example to us of how worry can affect our relationship with Jesus Christ. “As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “You are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:39-42).
Martha was anxious because things did not go as she thought they should. Rather than spending time with Jesus, she worried. How often does that happen in our lives? Worrying will not make anything better. It will give ulcers, headaches, mounting fear, and make us even unpleasant to be around. Stress has a way of causing a person to become irritable. It will rob you of needed hours of sleep in the night.
As we place our trust in God, we do not need to worry. This is a trick of the enemy to steal our soul. He is out to rob us of what peace we have and cause us to doubt that God cannot take care of us. Psalm 91:10-11 says, “No evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; for He shall give his angles charge over you, to keep you in all things.” We are never alone – God is always there. Whereever we go, he is there. Whatever we do, He is there! However, we feel, He is there! We are never, never alone!
“There is no fear in perfect love; but perfect love casts our fears; because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.” (I John 4:18). Daniel did not fear, when he was cast into the den of lions. This was because he spent much time with God, had a close relationship with Him, and trusted in His protection - even amidst the lions.
David did not fear the Giant, although he had heard about him and had been discouraged and ridiculed by his own brothers, when he decided to face him. David trusted in God and God did not let him down. “David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the LORD will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” (I Sam. 17: 45-47)
God helped him conquer something that was humanly impossible with man, all because David trusted in obedience. Victory was given for David had faced the giant.
What giant do you have that hinders you from having perfect peace in your life? The same God who took care of David and Daniel will take care of you.
“A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you (Psalm 91:4-7). There is no giant that is big enough that our God cannot handle for us. He created us and can keep us as we trust in Him and take our fears to Him. We may do this, but if we take our fear with us when we leave the place of prayer, we are saying that we do not think God is big enough to handle them. We must leave them with him and walk away. This is difficult, but as we continue to do this even if it happens to be over and over, he will give us the strength to trust in Him. We must say, “No” to our fears and “Yes” to God. “For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry, “Abba Father” (Rom. 8:15).
We serve a loving Heavenly Father who understands us and knows our fears. Fear will torment us robbing us of peace of mind. The more we give into fear, the greater it looms in our life. Some people have a fear of death, of the rapture, paying monthly bills, darkness, getting sick or catching a germ from someone. Some have a fear they have sinned, or that God has left them forever. Whatever the fear is, we can give it to God. He will walk with us through whatever it is; we are not alone. He is our Shepherd who uses his staff and rod to protect us. He will even walk us though death and give us peace and grace for that moment. We can boldly approach His presence and ask for help and deliverance from our fears. He is our strength and we have no need to fear what man can do to us. As we place our confidence in Him, he will give us a confidence that will increase our faith and peace and decrease our fears. ”Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:6-7)
God wants to help you overcome your fear. 1. Spend more time in prayer and reading the Word. 2. Read passages that will build your confidence in His loving care. 3. Leave your fear with him and walk away, telling God you trust him and will not fear. 4. Tell God you believe, and to help your unbelief. 5. Thank him for each day you did not experience fear and praise His name. 6. Refrains from reading, listening, and watching negative things that will strengthen your fears – smother them!
Scripture references – NIV 2011
©Rev. Jeanne McIntosh 2011. All rights reserved.
