Cast Your Cares

“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you,” 1 Peter 5:7, KJV

Some versions of the Bible translate the word “cares” into the word “worry” or “anxiety.” I think that’s interesting as we sometimes tend to maximize our individual situations from a care or need (something we hold in high regard) into a worrisome crisis. Often we burden ourselves down with things we have no control over. I prefer to stick with the King James Version of scripture and from time to time expound on the meaning by using the Amplified definition, which plainly pulls the definition of the words used in the main text. In saying that, I believe that the word cares is looked at in the light of concern.

As I meditated on the second part of this scripture, “…for he careth for you,” it confirms my understanding of the word cares. Jesus is concerned about our well being. He is not stressed-out about it nor is He losing heart about the ability of working a thing out. For it is said in His word, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God,” Philippians 4:6, KJV. There goes that word care again within “careful.” So, God is telling us again to give all of our concerns to Him. “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light,” Matthew 11:29-30, KJV.

Often times we do the exact opposite, causing more harm than good. By constant worrying, we usher ourselves into illness that were within our control to keep at bay. We can cause heart disease, hypertension, and even nervous conditions due to anxieties. And we wonder where the illnesses are arising from, can we first check with our lifestyles? Where is the mind? What are we thinking about or meditating on? Where is our focus? Is it on the things of this world, or is it on God? I’m well aware that there are dire occurrences that spiral us into this mode of thinking because of our human nature. We do tend to latch on to family members in times of chronic illnesses. We sometimes lose our appetites or the ability to focus on ordinary tasks, but Jesus said to keep our focus on Him.

Isn’t it interesting that God had Peter to deliver this very important message? Let us take a look at Matthew 14:26-33, KJV. “And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.”

Peter knew first hand what it was like to cast his cares upon the Lord. And in casting his cares, he was being taught how to trust the Lord. Ultimately, in that trust, he learned the importance of faith.