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The Antidote for Anxiety and Depression: Trust in Abba Father’s Care – Pt 23

Cast Your Anxiety on Jesus!

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

– 1 Peter 5:7

A few years ago I had a situation where for a few months I was not paid salaries. At that time I was not well and had spent a lot of money at the doctor and had various tests done. Plus, I had to buy medications. All of which was done with monies out of my pocket because I did not have health insurance. I also had the monthly financial obligations of my car and student loans, which were behind as a result of my not being paid salaries.

I depended on my monthly salary as it was my only means of living. Hence, when I did not receive salaries those months anxiety filled my heart. I worried about what the bank would do or not do about the non-payment of my car and student loans. I worried about how I was going to afford to repeat the medications. I worried about how I was going to eat. I worried about everything that needed finances. Then, I run out of resources, I had no food, no medications and no more money to replenish my needs. I was not used to asking anyone for help so I did not know what to do.

Anyway, I decided to pray and ask God to help me because I was being emotionally crippled by anxiety. Then, in desperation, I mentioned my situation to the then Chief Education Officer hoping that she would have been able to assist in addressing the situation regarding my salary. She told me that if by a particular time I was not paid to let her know. I was not paid by that time so I informed her. She asked me to meet her at her office at a specific time on a particular day and told me to walk with my prescriptions. I hesitated because I did not want to be a bother to her. Nevertheless I went. She went with me to a pharmacy and paid for all my medications. She also gave me $300. and told me to go to the supermarket and make sure to buy whatever foodstuff I needed. Then she cautioned me to take care of myself.   

The Apostle Peter stated in First Peter 5:7, “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”

The word “casting” used in the verse above is the Greek word epiripto, a compound of the words epi and ripto. The word epi means upon, as on top of something. The word ripto means to hurl, to throw, or to cast. It also often means to violently throw or to fling something with great force.

In Secular literature, the word epiripto often pictured the flinging of a garment, bag, or excess weight off the shoulders of a traveler and unto the back of some other beast, such as a donkey, camel, or horse.

Friends, you can cast all “your care” upon Jesus. The word “care” is the Greek word merimna, which means anxiety. It however describes any affliction, difficulty, hardship, misfortune, trouble, or complicated circumstance that arises as a result of problems that develop in our lives. Such problems could be financial, marital, job-related, family-related, business-oriented, or anything else that concerns you.

You are encouraged by Peter to throw them all on Jesus because He “careth for you”. The word “careth” comes from the Greek word melei, which means to be concerned; to be thoughtful; to be interested; to be aware; to notice; or to give painful and meticulous attention. This word is used by Peter to assure you that Jesus really does care about you and the things that are heavy on your hearts. Actually, Jesus gives meticulous attention to what is happening to you, and is interested in every aspect of your lives (Renner, 2003).

Therefore, whatever the causes of your anxiety are, you were not made to carry them so fling them upon Jesus with all your might today because He is concerned about everything that concerns you.

Shalom!

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father I lift my heart and hands unto You in worship. I thank You for Your love for me. With all my might I fling all my cares upon Jesus who cares about me. In Jesus’ name with thanksgiving. Amen!