“Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully. ”

1 Peter 5:7 (AMPC)

In 1 Peter 5:5–10, God provides a step-by-step process for us to press through worry. Though at times we’d like to do life alone because it may simplify matters, this is not God’s will. The Word exhorts us to be accountable to the leadership at our work places, in our community and especially as a part of the body of Christ where His will is for us to be planted.

The Word exhorts us, “Therefore humble yourselves [demote, lower yourselves in your own estimation] under the mighty hand of God, that in due time He may exalt you, casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.” In verse 8 and 9 the scriptures remind us to be vigilant and cautious as Satan, our enemy, is waiting to enter into our business if we open the door to him. The scriptures elaborate that suffering is not just something that happens to us but to the entire body of Christ. It is as we press and take on the suffering, God will be alongside of us pouring out His grace so that we’ll be certain to come out victoriously.

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT
Sometimes, there are curve balls in our lives that we had no clue were about to come our way. I’ll admit, I’ve had to learn some of my valued lessons the hard way. I used to think that when stress was happening in my life that it was often the fault of the other party. I would complain about how others had no clue with what was happening in my life. That they were so insensitive to infringe and expect so much of me. I didn’t think there was such a thing as collaboration.

On the other hand, due to unresolved insecurities, I’d just about do anything reasonable that was asked of me so that I would be approved. I was so deceived. I used to view most deadlines as urgent. I plowed people out of my way and made unreasonable demands of others, including myself.

We have to make the deliberate choice to turn to God and take whatever time needed to be or return back into His presence. To feel Him. To be still in the midst of what feels like chaos. As I did this progressively, I could feel my faith being empowered. Many times, as pre-warned in the scriptures, we simply need to take spiritual authority over the spiritual forces, such as fear.

The Holy Spirit has taught me instead of going into an automatic, negative reaction, I need to first assess the order of my priorities and to whom I was properly or improperly submitting to. He’d help me go through a quick assessment, to stop and think about the situation at hand (i.e. What is really happening? Was the request truly a part of my role and responsibility? If applicable, is it a part of “the Vision”? Was the situation something only I could fulfill? Or was it something I could delegate).

One day the eyes of my understanding were truly enlightened. It dawned on me why Jesus had instructed us to ask for our daily bread. At that time, I was trying to get this entire project completed in a few hours when I knew in the natural that was a project that demanded a few weeks. The Holy Spirit revealed that I was lacking faith. That I did not think He could give me what I needed for tomorrow, or the days to follow. He encouraged me to look at the birds and the lilies (Matthew 6:25-34). Verse 34, says, “So do not worry or be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have worries and anxieties of its own. Sufficient for each day is its own trouble.” Selah. That truly changed my outlook on how to defuse anxious worrying.

Several years ago, there was a news alert that all the surrounding schools were in a lock down due to a shoot and run incident that took place in a jewelry store in our community. It was very easy to be concerned for our children, friends and families. Later that evening, we overheard one of our daughters talking on the phone to one of her classmates discussing the lock down event. The gal asked our daughter if she was afraid and she responded that she was too busy praying (in the Holy Spirit) for everyone’s safety and that there was no time to worry or to be scared. She also remarked that she knew God had His angels charged around the community as she confessed Psalm 91 (having had memorized it in elementary school). It truly is the regard for God’s instructions that we conquer worry. It does not matter what age or what is happening around us. He is there to always comfort and help us breakthrough because we are too blessed to be stressed. (Pastor Darlene Tsuha)

TODAY’S DECLARATION
“My God is El Shaddai, the God that is more than enough. He is gentle and gives me rest for my soul. Daily, as I cast all my fears, worries, cares, chaos, anxieties and stress upon Him, He promises to affectionately care and love me by His sufficient grace making me what I ought to be; established, grounded securely, strong, and settled in Him as I experience another day of significant breakthroughs!”

TODAY’S BIBLE READING

• Old Testament: 2 Chronicles 3-5; Psalms 139
• New Testament: Luke 10:17-24; 1 Thessalonians 3:7-13