When I was “chaplain” of my college sorority, each time we met, I would get to bring a devotion. (If you know me, you can imagine this was a great challenge, not so much in thinking of what to share, but in the act of public speaking before my peers!)
One week I made bookmarks for everyone in the sorority with today’s verse, and that worn bookmark still sits in my college Bible. Today’s verse is short and simple:
1 Peter 5:7: “casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” (ESV)
Sometimes I realize as I am going through my day that I have several small things on my mind. They aren’t things I’m overly concerned about, and yet they cause just the slightest uneasiness in me. I often don’t pray about them because they do seem minor, and sometimes, if I’m honest, I actually don’t want to take the time and thought that prayer requires to bring these anxieties to the Lord. But I’m trying to remember this verse and present them before the Lord, as He invites us to do, because He cares for us.
The verse says to cast “all” your anxieties (fears, cares, concerns, worries) on Him, because He cares for you! Isn’t that a wonderful reminder that God cares for you. He welcomes and invites you to bring these things to Him, which, along with other Scriptures, indicates to me that He can handle them and give you peace, knowing they are with your heavenly Father.
This morning, I took time to lay all those things, small and big, that have weighed on my heart before the Lord. It was interesting to see how as I did, He even convicted me about some things in these areas of anxiety in my life. I’m looking forward to seeing how He provides in each circumstance.
PRAYER: Dear Lord, Thank you that you are such a personal, caring, and intimate God that you welcome us to bring our needs and cares before You. Thank You that You are more than able to handle these things and provide for us abundantly in them. Please give us peace as we give these burdens to You. And may we see You working as we do this and be encouraged to do it over and over again. We praise You this day, in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Praise Proclaimer 