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Hope For the Financially Stressed
Series: Money from Matthew’s gospel (part 2). By Rosie Moore.

As a counsellor, I’ve come to realize that money troubles can be profoundly serious, painful, and stressful. There are many reasons why we can feel overwhelmed by financial worries—such as job loss, unexpected expenses, poor decisions, crippling debt, theft, or the illness or death of a primary earner. Even natural disasters, like the recent Hurricane Helene in North Carolina, can devastate a lifetime of hard work in a single day.

Those who find themselves trapped in a financial pit often feel anger, discouragement, fear, panic, intense helplessness, and eventually hopelessness. In such a state of relentless stress, it is easy to be consumed by worries and fears. Paralysing fear prevents us from taking the necessary steps to address our real financial issues.

Jesus understands this struggle and does not discount our concerns about money. Instead, he reminds us not to focus our hearts on material worries, such as what we will eat or drink, but instead to seek his kingdom first. Before we dismiss Christ’s words in the sermon on the Mount as out-of-touch platitudes, let’s take a moment to revisit Matthew 6:5-34 and ask God what He wants to teach us through our financial struggles:

⁵“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? ²⁶Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? ²⁷And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? ²⁸And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, ²⁹yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. ³⁰But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? ³¹Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³²For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. ³³But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

³⁴“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. (Matthew 6:5-34)

Jesus gives us three truths to anchor our anxious hearts.
1. God knows my needs.
Like most people, I have to regularly navigate financial stress. I’m not immune to worry, but I’ve found that hope for the financially stressed lies in this simple but profound truth:

Our heavenly Father knows all our needs and is faithful to care for His children.

Because I’m prone to forget, I keep a vase of flowers in my house and a bird feeder outside my window as visual reminders of God’s faithful care. Apart from restoring our minds and bodies, God teaches us many truths about Himself through the natural world.

When I lie awake with racing thoughts–from the university fees due this month, to unknown expenses in the future, to market forces beyond our control, to the latest disease afflicting our crocodile farm, I have to remind myself that God is sovereign, wise and good. Nothing falls outside the ambit of his loving care. He is my provider, He knows what I need and how to supply it. With each new day, I can ask and trust my Father to give me my daily bread.

As Jesus pointed out, our God feeds the birds and clothes the flowers who do not work or have any need to be anxious, because God is faithful to them. And then Jesus notes that God’s children are worth far more than birds and flowers. Likewise, we have no need to be anxious about our lives, but need to trust our present and our future to God’s sovereign goodness.

This isn’t just a comforting platitude; it’s a true perspective rooted in God’s sovereignty and providence over our lives. “God knows all my needs” is a sermon we need to preach to ourselves daily. Moreover, He has proved how much He cares by sending His own Son to die for us (Romans 8:32).

If we put our trust in God, then we’ll enter into a place of rest and peace, knowing that our caring Father, (not money) is ultimately looking after us. From this place of childlike dependence, we can pray and work out an intelligent plan for our finances, following principles from God’s Word and putting His priorities first.
1. Seek first His kingdom.
Take heart! Rather than letting our fears take over, Jesus urges His followers to anchor their thoughts on the most valuable thing in the world—knowing God and being part of His kingdom (Matt 6:33). In Christ alone we find true life, peace and joy. Money is a mirage of these things.

When we re-focus on God’s kingdom, we see that financial struggles are no different from other trials. Trials are not just random events in a believer’s life; they are opportunities to grow and become more Christlike in our attitudes and actions. Like all painful trials, financial afflictions are God’s pruning shears to enable us to bear more fruit for Christ (John 15:1-3).

For example, money troubles provide an opportunity to appreciate our amazing wealth in the Father of Jesus Christ, our refuge, treasure, true inheritance and portion forever. Money pressures humble us to pray and trust God like a child. They give our Father an opportunity to sustain us with His love and daily manna. They train us to think wisely through practical matters such as: budgeting, giving, lending and borrowing, use of credit, saving and investment, insurance, inheritance, and responsibilities towards children and extended family. A financial crisis can be a catalyst to develop a biblical theology of money.

As we re-orientate our hearts toward God’s righteousness and kingdom in the thick of our financial stress, we may notice the meaning and value we’ve attached to money:

Perhaps we’ve been relying on money as our source of safety and security. Maybe money provides validation. Or gives us power to control people and circumstances. Or we’ve forgotten that we own nothing apart from what God has given to us. We may be using money as a tool to impress or be accepted in a particular group.

Perhaps we have a problem with overspending or excessive debt that God wants us to deal with. Or maybe we are jealous when others are prospering and we aren’t. What room is there for jealousy when the King distributes all things according to His perfect knowledge and will?

It takes discipline to spend within the boundaries that God has provided and take responsibility for our personal finances. It’s hard to downsize expectations and spending. It’s hard to be content when the money runs out. But every financial crisis is an opportunity to grow in sanctification.

If we’re relying on money to provide us with security, power, identity, comfort, control or purpose, we are using money to find life apart from the Lord. There’s nothing like a financial crisis to expose this idol!

In seeking Christ’s kingdom and righteousness first, we begin to see financial troubles as part of the larger story of our sovereign God’s plan to redeem us in and through our unique trials. All the money in the world cannot buy this training and transformation!
1. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Matthew 6:34 is comforting, since Jesus acknowledged that each day has enough trouble of its own. Christ doesn’t minimize our daily struggles in earning a living and managing money in a fallen world. Planning for tomorrow is time well spent, but worrying is time wasted. Jesus notes that anxiety paralyses us from doing what God holds us responsible to do today. The emphasis is on today.

Each day’s trouble is enough to handle. As followers of Christ, we need to plan ahead and work to provide the necessities of life—food, shelter and clothing (1 Tim 6:6-10). It should be our “ambition” to lead a quiet life, to pursue our calling and work hard, so we may win the respect of outsiders and not be dependent on anyone else (1 Thess 4:11-12). But work is cursed with thorns and thistles (Genesis 3:17-19). Jesus acknowledges these everyday troubles of eating bread by the sweat of our faces.

At the same time, Christ wants us to be led by God’s greater goals for our money: loving our neighbour as ourself, giving generously, being found faithful with our possessions. After all, is this not the only fitting response to the foundational truth that God is the One who has given us everything we earn and own?

In 1 Corinthians 4:2, Paul writes,

“Moreover, it is required of stewards to be found faithful”.

Here are six practical principles to help us be faithful financial stewards of what God has entrusted to us:
1. Work smart. If you don’t have enough, you either need to earn more or spend less.
2. Spend smart. Live within your means and buy only what you can afford. Don’t go into debt for luxuries or liabilities. If you can’t pay cash, don’t buy it. Only borrow for assets like a house or a business. If you’re already in debt, develop a plan to pay it off as soon as possible.
3. Invest smart. Put your money into assets rather than liabilities.
4. Develop multiple income streams, so if one dries up you have others.
5. Build up your passive income, so your money is making money for you.
6. Give smart. Generous giving is part of being a Christian. You can never outgive God.
There is hope for the financially stressed! If our goals are to glorify God; to love Him more; and to be found faithful with our possessions, then financial stress is fertile soil for growth. Thinking about money biblically will develop in us contentment and joy as we find true life in Christ, who is life indeed. As James Petty writes,

“When our treasure is in our relationship with Christ, then we can be freed from seeking life in the things that we possess, and freed to actually live in the fallen world and remain in the Living Branch that bears fruit for eternity (John 15:5).

Prayer

Heavenly Father, you promise that you are “able to make all grace abound to [us], so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, [we] may abound in every good work” (2 Cor 9:8). You are our faithful Shepherd, and we have everything we need (Ps 23:1-2). Still our fears with a deep trust in your provision and care. Enable us to be faithful in very little so that we will also be faithful in much. We acknowledge that all we have earned comes from you, and all we own belongs to you. Please forgive us for the sinful ways we’ve viewed money and used it as a surrogate god. Forgive us for worrying instead of trusting you with the details of our lives. Grant us your grace to be wise and faithful stewards of your money. Amen.
October 8, 2024
Biblical prescriptions for mental health, Part 2.

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A Special Invitation.

By Rosie Moore.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).

In Paul’s letter to the Philippian believers, the apostle calls his readers to learn from his example, so that “the God of peace will be with you” too (Phil 4:9). Last week, we looked at God’s promise of peace to “guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” and we explored the nature of this peace in the life of Paul.

From Paul’s own life and example, I think we can infer that it is our Father’s will for all his children to experience divine peace, even in the midst of the lowest lows and regardless of our personality type. But Paul also gives clear instructions on how this peace is to be secured and enjoyed daily.

How often do we expect to experience God’s peace without following his prescription of prayer?

Prayer.

The Bible shows followers of Christ the way up when we’re down. It’s to replace fretful, cyclical thoughts with prayer—prayer directed to our caring Father who has redeemed us by his Son. And so, anxious thoughts are actually a powerful invitation to approach the throne of grace and to pray in the name of Jesus.

Over centuries, prayer has always been the way up for needy believers. David’s prayers provide many templates for our own prayers, especially when we’re battling to find words to express ourselves. Here are just a few examples out of hundreds in the Psalms:

“But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory and the lifter of my head” (Ps 3:3).

“When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed spirit.” (Ps 34:17-18)

“I waited patiently for the Lord;
    he turned to me and heard my cry.
²He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
    out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
    and gave me a firm place to stand.
³He put a new song in my mouth,
    a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the Lord
    and put their trust in him. (Ps 40:1-3)

Even though I walk
    through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
    for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me (Ps 23:4).

A special invitation.

I wonder how our lives would be transformed if we saw each of our cares as a special invitation to call on the Lord in our weakness? Imagine if we saw each worry as a renewed challenge to trust in God’s promises to comfort and care for us? (1 Peter 5:7).

After all, didn’t Christ himself invite us to come to him for rest, “all who labour and are heavy laden” (Matt 11:28)?

It’s no wonder our hearts and minds are guarded by God’s transcendent peace when we pray:

Prayer makes Jesus big and our problems small by comparison. In talking to Creation’s King, we are transported out of the echo chamber of our babbling thoughts and disordered priorities. Through our needy prayers, we experience forgiveness from sin and a true perspective of ourselves and the greatness and glory of God. We acknowledge and worship the the one true God, which is our highest and greatest need as human beings.

But many people today confuse prayer with mystical, mindless forms of ‘spirituality’ that masquerade as Christianity. Prayer is not what is touted as ‘mindfulness,’ ‘meditation’ or ‘practicing the presence of God’. These are unbiblical concepts that do not resemble the many hundreds of prayers recorded in the Bible or Christ’s express teachings on prayer.

Prayer is not mindless repetition or rubbing the genie lamp, as if we’re trying to manufacture peace or twist God’s arm. Moreover, prayer is also not always what we feel like doing.

The Bible teaches that when God’s people pray, we pour out our hearts to Him in faith, making specific requests for the sake of Jesus, who died for us. We look outside of ourselves for help, not to our own inner wisdom, but to our heavenly Father on whom we rely for everything.

If this is true, then we needn’t ever feel timid about our prayers, even in a group. Should a young child who is learning language feel shy of their flawed speech? Our heartfelt prayers will always be good enough for the Lord, who promises never to despise the prayers of his people. His Spirit will edit our faltering prayers with groans too deep for words (Rom 8:26-27).

And so, there is no unworthiness that can disqualify us from prayer if we are covered by the blood and righteousness of Christ. God accepts our prayers because of Jesus, our great High Priest. When we obey God’s prescription to pray instead of fretting, He will use our worries to grow our faith and transform us to be more like His perfect Son.

Supplication

Secondly, Paul prescribes supplication. By adding supplication, Paul is reminding us that we are not to give up praying just because we don’t get an instant response.

Supplication isn’t a quick bedtime or mealtime prayer, but a request from a place of deep humility and desperation, out of acute need and inadequacy. Since God has created us to love him and long for him, when we plead his grace over our lives, we are expressing our dependence on him.

Supplication builds and requires faith, precisely because it isn’t instant and is always subject to God’s will. Supplications attach us to God’s heart, regardless of whether or when we get exactly what we’ve asked for.

Supplications are persistent requests, like the wrestling of Jacob on the banks of the Jabbok river, when he prayed fervently for God’s blessing (Gen 32:9-12; 24-28). Or like the barren Hannah when she prayed for a baby. “In bitterness of soul, Hannah wept much and prayed to the Lord” (1 Sam 1:10-11). God heard Hannah’s supplication and gave her Samuel.

One of my favourite stories of supplication is the healing of Bartimaeus, the blind man. Remember how the crowd tried to silence him because he kept calling out to Jesus? But he stubbornly refused to stop his supplications.

“He cried all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus did not get annoyed or call Bartimaeus a God-botherer. Instead, he stopped and healed the desperate man (Mark 10:47-52).

Similarly, Jesus praised the Canaanite woman who showed persistence and fervency in her supplications. She too cried out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.”

Even after Jesus seemed to put her off twice, the gentile woman refused to let him go, but knelt before him, “Lord, help me!” she said quietly. The woman prayed boldly until Jesus responded, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted” (Matt 15:22-28).

Jesus expressly taught supplication. He said that we should persist in asking for what we need with “shameless audacity” or “impudence” (Luke 11:8), like a trusting child nags a good father (Matt 7:9-11). Jesus said that in our prayers, we should not just ask, but also seek and knock, expecting our Heavenly Father to answer us (Matt 7:7).

And so, provided that our requests aren’t sinful, we ought to continue to pray, just as Paul pleaded three times for the thorn in his flesh to be removed (2 Cor 12:8-10). Paul only stopped when he knew that God’s power would be made perfect in his weakness. This was to save Paul from conceit and to demonstrate the Lord’s strength in his weakness.

The content of our prayers and supplications.

Jesus provides the greatest example of supplication for us to follow.

Not long before his death, Christ prayed throughout the night and we have a record of that desperate supplication in John 17. Firstly, Christ asked that God be glorified, and secondly, that God’s people would grow in obedience. Thirdly, He asked for strength for himself and his followers to stay faithful as they faced the great trials ahead (John 17:1, 5, 17). Christ’s supplication in John 17 shows us the most important petitions we need to ask for when we pray, for these are our deepest needs too.

And so, even if we are not delivered fully from mental or physical illness, the Lord will give us the strength and courage to keep moving forward, to stay faithful and to keep glorifying God in our lives. Whatever God’s reasons for delaying or giving us a different answer than the one we hoped for, we can keep praying for the grace to follow Him more fully. The process of supplication is always good for our soul and our sanctification.

In supplication, it’s good to start by praising and thanking God, to focus ourselves on the character and holiness of God. Then to confess our sins and ask God to reveal the sins we haven’t seen. Then to lay our requests and burdens down at the foot of the cross.

Moreover, the Bible promises that if we pray persistently for wisdom and the Holy Spirit, we can be sure that our Father will grant our requests (Luke 11:13; James 1:5-6). We must not give up asking for these promised gifts.

Prayer precedes Peace.

A woman I know related some of her own experience of God’s peace following prayer and supplication. I hope her testimony will encourage you to lay down your burdens as she did:

“I often battle with insomnia. I wake up at around 2 o’ clock feeling overcome by anxious thoughts. The more my mind spins, the less I sleep, and the less I sleep, the more my mind hurtles out of control. It’s a vicious cycle I have no power to escape, no matter how much I try to mute the noisy circus of elephants rampaging in my head. I always seem to have so many things to worry about.

Eventually I realized that I needed to take Paul’s instruction in Philippians 4 seriously. I confessed my sins to God. I admitted that I was not obeying His clear word, nor trusting Him with my life. I was guilty of the sin of unbelief and misplaced priorities. I was too much like anxious Martha instead of peaceful Mary. I was listening to Satan instead of the Lord, fearing man instead of God. Then I specifically asked for the Spirit’s help the next time the circus came to town.

This began the most refreshing times of undisturbed, quiet communion with the Lord and a habit I never want to abandon.

Nowadays, the moment I wake up, I don’t waste time stewing fruitlessly in my bed. I accept Christ’s invitation to pray. I get out of bed and tiptoe to the kitchen to make a cup of tea and light a fire. I sit with a candle (so I don’t wake myself up too much), and read a few Psalms out loud. Then I give thanks to God and pray through each of my problems and fears one by one:

All the things I can’t control or make sense of, I tell God all about them, no-holds-barred, totally uncensored. All the people I can’t save; all the messy knots I can’t undo; all the wicked injustices and pain in the world that I can’t stop; all my responsibilities and plans; all the people I love; all the good things I long for. I lay them all on the table like a pack of cards, until there’s not a single one left to play tricks on my mind.

Honestly, my prayers aren’t profound or full of faith at all. They’re often in a jumble and I can’t think of the right words to say. Sometimes I cry and plead with the Lord to change my perceptions and the motivations, as I don’t like the things that drive my heart. Sometimes I just pray Psalms to the Lord and leave it at that. I can’t do it better than those prayers of David when he was in trouble.

But my prayers in the night are always followed by a profound peace and deep sleep that I cannot explain. Nothing’s changed, but my mind feels light, tidy and swept clean. Prayer isn’t a once-off victory, but a continuous struggling and unburdening of my worries in his presence. It always takes several weeks before the circus leaves town and I’m able to sleep through the night again.”

I think the prophet Isaiah perfectly captures this woman’s sense of peace which follows prayer: “You will be kept in perfect peace, all whose thoughts are fixed on you.” (Isa 26:3)

Sources and further reading:

Gerald Bilkes, How can I stop worrying? Reformation Heritage Books, 2018.

Edward Welch, Depression—The Way up When You Are Down, P&R Publishing, 2000.

Lydia Brownback, Philippians– Living for Christ, Crossway, 2022.[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container][fusion_builder_container background_color=”#ffffff” background_image=”” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_webm=”” video_mp4=”” video_ogv=”” video_preview_image=”” overlay_color=”” overlay_opacity=”0.5″ video_mute=”yes” video_loop=”yes” fade=”no” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” padding_top=”20″ padding_bottom=”20″ padding_left=”5%” padding_right=”5%” hundred_percent=”yes” equal_height_columns=”yes” hide_on_mobile=”no” menu_anchor=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_3″ last=”no” spacing=”yes” center_content=”yes” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”center center” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_imageframe lightbox=”no” gallery_id=”” lightbox_image=”” style_type=”none” hover_type=”none” bordercolor=”” bordersize=”0px” borderradius=”0″ stylecolor=”” align=”none” link=”” linktarget=”_self” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” hide_on_mobile=”no” class=”” id=””] [/fusion_imageframe][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”2_3″ last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” padding=”2%” margin_top=”2%” margin_bottom=”2%” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_title size=”2″ content_align=”left” style_type=”default” sep_color=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” class=”” id=””]Receive our latest devotion in your Inbox[/fusion_title][fusion_code]Q2xpY2sgZWRpdCBidXR0b24gdG8gY2hhbmdlIHRoaXMgY29kZS4=[/fusion_code][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container][fusion_builder_container background_color=”#ffffff” background_image=”” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_webm=”” video_mp4=”” video_ogv=”” video_preview_image=”” overlay_color=”” overlay_opacity=”0.5″ video_mute=”yes” video_loop=”yes” fade=”no” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” padding_top=”20″ padding_bottom=”20″ padding_left=”5%” padding_right=”5%” hundred_percent=”yes” equal_height_columns=”yes” hide_on_mobile=”no” menu_anchor=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][fusion_title size=”2″ content_align=”left” style_type=”default” sep_color=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” class=”” id=””]Other devotions from the God Walk…[/fusion_title][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][fusion_recent_posts layout=”default” hover_type=”none” columns=”3″ number_posts=”6″ offset=”” cat_slug=”devotion” exclude_cats=”” thumbnail=”yes” title=”yes” meta=”no” excerpt=”yes” excerpt_length=”0″ strip_html=”yes” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][/fusion_recent_posts][fusion_text]– more devotions –[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

September 9, 2022
Casting every care

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“Cast all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”

1 Peter 5:7 is a favourite verse often quoted as an antidote to stress and worry. It is a timeless reminder to Christians to pray with utter dependence on our loving Father, no matter what our circumstances. The idea of casting is to literally throw our cares on the Lord, and to leave them with him, instead of trying to carry, control or retrieve them ourselves. But if we return this text to its rightful place in Peter’s letter, we see that this chapter is about shepherding God’s people through intense persecution. Peter’s main instruction to these suffering believers is to humble themselves under God’s mighty hand. It was only with this attitude of childlike trust that they could genuinely cast all their cares upon the Lord, knowing that he cared for them.

Let’s read this passage with humility and ask the Lord to show us what to do with our own anxious thoughts:

Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” ⁶Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, ⁷casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. ⁸Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. ⁹Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. ¹⁰And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. ¹¹To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen (1 Peter 5:5-11).

A common condition and a timeless remedy

Peter’s original readers faced a set of uncontrollables that we can hardly imagine. They feared losing their homes, livelihoods, communities and lives at the whim of those who opposed their faith. Scattered as foreigners, they lived under constant threat for themselves and their loved ones. The threats were real, not imagined. In contrast, we worry about things that may never happen, past regrets that we cannot change, perceptions that aren’t true, and health and material issues that are, ironically, made worse by our worrying. Only a fraction of our concerns are in fact real and serious problems. But, Christians in every context have this in common with Peter’s original readers: All our daily cares can quickly morph into anxieties that choke us. The only antidote is a constant, childlike trust in God’s loving providence.

“Do not be anxious” was the timeless and unequivocal command of Jesus too (Matt 6:25-34). Peter’s instruction in 1 Peter 5:6-7 is like entrusting a loved one to a skilled surgeon, allowing a pilot to fly your plane or handing over your precious backpack to a sherpa to carry it safely to the top of a mountain. But of course, all these analogies break down because no human being is sovereign over every detail of the universe. No person is perfectly good, strong or wise, and there is no one on earth who cares for us as our Father does. Only the Lord Jesus could die in our place to become the Rock on whom we rest all our burdens. The cross is the ultimate proof that our lives matter to God.

In this text, Peter not only alludes to the common condition and the timeless remedy of anxiety, but also to a common source.

Wiser than God?

Our culture would be horrified to draw a connection between anxiety and pride, but Peter isn’t. He contrasts God’s attitude towards the proud and humble in the same breath as his instruction to cast our cares on the Lord (1 Peter 5:5-7). Before we dismiss this as overly simplistic or harsh, let’s think through some of the outcomes of humility and pride in our own lives. I can personally vouch for the ones on pride:

Pride tells us we must depend on ourselves and meet our own needs. Pride believes the lie that we can control our lives and convince God to give us what we want. Pride thinks we know what’s best. Pride is entitled, and insists on our comfort, certainty and reputation. In pride, we boast of tomorrow’s gains (James 4:13-15).

In contrast, when we humble ourselves under God’s mighty hand, we willingly place ourselves under His providence. We remember that hardship is a normal part of Christ’s call to die to self, shared by all His followers in every generation (1 Peter 5:9; Luke 14:27; 33; Luke 9:23-24). We trust that our ultimate exaltation will come when the Lord Jesus, our Chief Shepherd returns (1 Peter 5:4;10). We know we can’t help ourselves, so we welcome God’s mighty hand as the helping hand of a parent or shepherd, not an oppressor. We believe that God will keep his promises in His good time, not ours (1 Peter 5:6).

A little while

Trusting God’s promises requires humility. History tells us that some of Peter’s readers would be strengthened and delivered by God’s grace in their lifetimes, but many would only be released from suffering in their deaths. The promise that God would exalt them in due time was not a guarantee of rescue from their troubles. Yet, Peter dares to say that in comparison with eternity, their suffering would last only “a little while” (1 Peter 5:10).

If Peter called these persecuted Christians to have an eternal perspective and childlike trust in the God of all grace, is this not our antidote to anxiety too?

Of course, none of us has perfect faith. Nor did Peter, or his readers. At best, we cry out to Jesus like the bewildered dad of the demon-possessed boy, “Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24). The important thing is to cast our cares on Christ anyway. The alternative is to be choked by them little by little.

Choked by cares

Peter implicitly warns us that anxiety is a dangerous state in which to live, as it leaves us in a self-focussed, vulnerable place where we are easy prey for Satan’s attacks (1 Peter 5:8). We cannot be watchful, resist the devil and remain firm and fruitful in our faith while choked by worry (1 Peter 5:9; Mark 4:19). That’s why we need to cast off each day’s burdens on the Lord. As George MacDonald puts it, “No man ever sank under the burden of the day. It is when tomorrow’s burden is added to today’s burden that the weight is more than a man can bear. Never load yourself so.”

If the stakes are this high, it’s worth asking God each day to unmask our anxious thoughts, so that we can actively cast them on Him in prayer.

This passage is one of my favourites, because I have a tendency to worry about many things. It’s one thing for me to know intellectually that God is sovereign and that he cares for me, but it’s quite another thing to actually get on my knees and lay out my cares, one by one, before the Lord in prayer. “Casting all our cares” is a deliberate, no-holds-barred action that is often difficult and the last thing we feel like doing. It’s easier and more natural to fret than to pray! But the wonderful effect of this kind of casting is the peace that follows it. It’s a peace that transcends rational understanding– a heart assurance that God is in control and cares for us. When we make a daily habit of casting all our cares, big and small, on the Lord, prayer will become more instinctive and our concerns will be stopped in their tracks before they grow into full-fledged worry.

“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” (Isa 26:3).

Prayer

Father, you say that we must not be anxious for anything, but rather pray with thanksgiving and offer our requests to you. So, we thank you that you care for us and know each of our concerns. Thank you that you are always good, powerful and faithful– our constant provider, counsellor and refuge. Thank you that your purposes are always good–to make us wiser, deeper and more Christ-like. Jesus, thank you that you are our Chief Shepherd. We want to trust you utterly, but our faith often wavers through fear and pride. By your Spirit and your Word, unmask our anxious thoughts and false lenses through which we see our lives. Forgive us for doubting you and for thinking we are wiser than you. Today we humble ourselves under your mighty hand and cast our cares on you, because you care for us. To you be the dominion forever and ever, Amen.

Worship

Listen to Oceans (Where feet may fail), by Shane and Shane.[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container][fusion_builder_container background_color=”#ffffff” background_image=”” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_webm=”” video_mp4=”” video_ogv=”” video_preview_image=”” overlay_color=”” overlay_opacity=”0.5″ video_mute=”yes” video_loop=”yes” fade=”no” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” padding_top=”20″ padding_bottom=”20″ padding_left=”5%” padding_right=”5%” hundred_percent=”yes” equal_height_columns=”yes” hide_on_mobile=”no” menu_anchor=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_3″ last=”no” spacing=”yes” center_content=”yes” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”center center” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_imageframe lightbox=”no” gallery_id=”” lightbox_image=”” style_type=”none” hover_type=”none” bordercolor=”” bordersize=”0px” borderradius=”0″ stylecolor=”” align=”none” link=”” linktarget=”_self” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” hide_on_mobile=”no” class=”” id=””] [/fusion_imageframe][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”2_3″ last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” padding=”2%” margin_top=”2%” margin_bottom=”2%” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_title size=”2″ content_align=”left” style_type=”default” sep_color=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” class=”” id=””]Receive our latest devotion in your Inbox[/fusion_title][fusion_code]Q2xpY2sgZWRpdCBidXR0b24gdG8gY2hhbmdlIHRoaXMgY29kZS4=[/fusion_code][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container][fusion_builder_container background_color=”#ffffff” background_image=”” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_webm=”” video_mp4=”” video_ogv=”” video_preview_image=”” overlay_color=”” overlay_opacity=”0.5″ video_mute=”yes” video_loop=”yes” fade=”no” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” padding_top=”20″ padding_bottom=”20″ padding_left=”5%” padding_right=”5%” hundred_percent=”yes” equal_height_columns=”yes” hide_on_mobile=”no” menu_anchor=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][fusion_title size=”2″ content_align=”left” style_type=”default” sep_color=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” class=”” id=””]Other devotions from the God Walk…[/fusion_title][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][fusion_recent_posts layout=”default” hover_type=”none” columns=”3″ number_posts=”6″ offset=”” cat_slug=”devotion” exclude_cats=”” thumbnail=”yes” title=”yes” meta=”no” excerpt=”yes” excerpt_length=”0″ strip_html=”yes” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][/fusion_recent_posts][fusion_text]– more devotions –[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

November 8, 2019