Among the many difficult aspects of this current pandemic is the isolation that it has brought to many people due to lockdowns. I have said from the very beginning that I am very concerned about a potential mental health crisis coming as these shutdowns continue. We were created by God for community. That is why I feel that isolation is the devil’s playground. When we are alone, he can really go to work on your mind. One of the biggest ways that he does this is causing many people to feel as though no one cares about them. While we are very connected society, it is mainly in superficial ways such as text messages or social media. The true contact that we crave is face to face. When we are use to having people come over and see us and talk with us, and then that stops, we can believe that we are no longer loved. We can think this even when we are aware that there are circumstances preventing normal operations and behaviors. This is why we must really understand what Peter was writing in 1 Peter 5:7 when he wrote, “Casting all your cares upon Him for He cares for you.”
This is a reminder from Peter that we are not alone. There is someone who loves us deeply, and He desires fellowship and communion with us. God invites us to come into His presence anytime, for any reason. He wants us to come and tell Him all of our cares, concerns, stresses, and struggles. The context of the verse is also reminding us that we need to be humble, not prideful. Prideful people don’t ask for directions or help. They also don’t share what is going on in their life, because they think they can handle it or that they can fix it. It takes great humility to be able to admit that you can’t do something, or that a situation is too big or difficult for you to handle on your own. When we are humble, we submit ourselves to those in authority. Peter in the text of 1 Peter 5 is also talking about the need for us to submit to authority. We need to learn to ask God to check our heart and reveal any pride that is lurking in us. We need to ask ourselves the questions, am I being submissive? Am I prayerful over the things in my life, or am I trying to call all the shots and fix it all myself?
I don’t know what you are dealing with right now, but I’m sure you are dealing with something. I also feel fairly safe in saying there has been a time, maybe even now, where you have felt overwhelmed with life. In those moments of fear, anxiety, and worry, what did you do? Did you pray or did you try to work harder or act like it wasn’t there? When the Bible says “all”, it means all. Whatever is on your heart and mind, Jesus says cast it on Me. The word “cast” means to thrown it to or place it upon. In other words, take the burden off your shoulders, and place it on God’s. He is more than able to handle all of our burdens. In fact, Isaiah wrote that He has carried all of our burdens (Isa. 53). God doesn’t want you to walk around with the weight of the world on your shoulders. It is too much for you, but it isn’t too much for Him. What do you need to lay down today? By the way, you might have to lay it down multiple times a day. The key is, every time it comes to your mind, use that as a prompt to pray. Also, remind yourself of all the times that God has answered your prayers and worked situations out. Remembering those will give you confidence that He can and will do it again. So, go ahead, lay your concerns down so you can lift your voice up thanking Him for who He is, what He has done, and what He will do.
By His grace and for His glory,
Pastor Justin