WEEK 2: Cast your Cares

1 Peter 5:6-7 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

“humble yourself by casting" -- https://netbible.org/bible/1+Peter+5#, footnote 12

NET: And God will exalt you in due time, if you humble yourselves under his mighty hand 7 by casting all your cares on him because he cares for you.

Cast Your Cares!

First: Define CAREs?

Disclaimer — NOT disorder, imbalance, mental health; CAN be overwhelming

NIV: “anxiety”; OTHER: “cares”, or “troubles”

Gk: “Merimna” = worry/anxiety, as when one does not know whether to do this or to do that

from merizo, lit. "pulled in different directions”.

When you have a divided state of mind, can’t concentrate on what you need to.

Relatable? Certain headspace where u are in the middle of some task & mind keeps drifting to a certain topic...

convo. needs happen; argument; failure; diagnosis; loss; disagreem’t;

Can’t let it go, try as you might. Won’t seem to lie down and go quietly.

One way we live in humilty is by CASTing these cares on/to Christ.

What it DOESN’T mean to “Cast” your cares.

Pray about them, then continue to worry about them.

Not do anything about it. Sit and wait for your victory.

~1,050 cmds in NT. NOT saying follow each…

The apostles/Jesus MUST have u’stood that a person’s will was integral part of following X. 90% cmds: a person to make choice, seek change in behavior.

There may be waiting involved, but that doesn’t mean to sit idly by and do nothing.

Believe your anxiety is sinful.

CAN be sinful or a hindrance; 1) when we have a choice and 2) we choose to wallow [camp] there!

Your anxiety doesn’t matter.

Ignore it & maybe it’ll go away. Minimize. Pretend it’s not there. Fake it ‘til u make it.

What it DOES mean to “Cast” your cares.

Act, & trust Jesus to vindicate you.

Petra, “Good things come to them that wait, not to those who hesitate. So hurry up & wait upon the LORD.”

Paul? 10 years btwn Damascus rd & 1st miss. journey!

Cloister up? Monestery? Hide away? NO! (little we know)

Made tents. Learned & studied. Prayed. Preached & debated. Grew!

Galatians 1:15-17 NET But when the one who set me apart from birth and called me by his grace was pleased 16 to reveal his Son in me so that I could preach him among the Gentiles, I did not go to ask advice from any human being, 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before me, but right away I departed to Arabia, and then returned to Damascus.

Jesus called him, appeared to him (dramatic), and he obeyed LONG before the plan was laid out. HE acted!

Partnership with U and Spirit of Christ.

X isn’t always going to deflate hostilities or make amends - he asks us to trust him for the wisdom and the time to make things right, or even stand up for self.

Wade into convo w/ conf.; stand up for self; apologize; admit your emotional state… in a way that honors Jesus and considers others also.

Take care of yourself, and trust Jesus to heal you.

Take your medicine, eat your veggies/mulitiV! Get a Dr.s opinion, schedule surgery, but don’t completely surrender yourself to their mercy.

Accept prognosis. plan for worst, but trust that Jesus can bring an amazing healing!!

Is NOT doubting - facing reality with a worldview that MY God is bigger than it! Should NOT require ignoring your situation…

1 Peter 1:3-4a NET “By his great mercy he gave us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 that is, into an inheritance imperishable, undefiled, and unfading.”

We trust in a LIVING hope - we can live ea. day with that same HOPE! Resurrection life flows thru our veins! Something that’s not fully realized yet. Live in tension!

And we know that - even when this world, our gov’t, my body, fails me - GOD will sustain me and I have a greater reward waiting for me with Jesus!

Regularly leave your anxiety at the cross.

Remember: Inherently, your anxiety is NOT sinful. Not good or healthy…

Some argue that you CARING about that event is a good thing, can move you in a better trajectory because of it. However,

BUT… can be sinful or a hindrance when we choose to wallow [camp] there! (sometimes, can’t help/explain feeling!)

Jesus had anxiety in Gethsemane. But he overcame by accepting Father’s will and submitting to him in obedience.

CRY OUT.

PRAY (with others)! Hope, unwavering trust, & an expectation for victory!

Philippians 4:6 NET Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God.

<3 of Thank'ess… come before him again and again; tell him all about it!

ONE. Theraputic for you; TWO. Chance to hear from Him/change outlook.

Get it off your chest! Just speaking it out loud is helpful. All it takes to say “YES” to God’s assistance.

Let others’ faith/testimony lift you up!

Allow His scripture to change the way you see circumstances.

LEAVE IT.

Philippians 4:7 NET “And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

When anxiety/cares creep back up in ur thoughts, set them down again! Get in habit of setting it down.

Maybe repeat step 1 - Act! Cry Out! Reach out! Then run back to altar…

WHY?!

Jesus Cares for You

1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Mic Drop. End of story. No more reason needed! Why is it so easy to cast our cares on Him? He CARRES ABOUT US!

Trust Jesus to be by your side no matter the outcome.

Hebrews 4:15 NET For we do not have a high priest incapable of sympathizing with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way just as we are, yet without sin. 16 Therefore let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and find grace whenever we need help.

BEEN THERE DONE THAT.

Philippians 4:12-13 NET I have experienced times of need and times of abundance. In any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of contentment, whether I go satisfied or hungry, have plenty or nothing. 13 I am able to do all things through the one who strengthens me.

2 Corinthians 12:9 NET Jesus says, “My grace is enough for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” So then, I will boast most gladly about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may reside in me.

GOD’S SPIRIT HELPS US IN THE MESS. POWER THRU.

Deuteronomy 31:6 ESV Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”

Matthew 28:20 ESV [Christ]: “…I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

JESUS IS THERE WITH US.

When we pray, know that he listens closely. When we hurt, he grieves. When we long, he wishes to fulfill us. When we are empty, he wants to fill us. When we lack, he desires to empower us.

TODAY someone needs a reminder that He cares about you.

You are not worthless or subpar. You’ve been created beautifully. And Jesus is an expert at taking scars and blemishes and using them for something awesome.