He Cares for You

I have walked through the shadow of depression at different points in my life.  I have walked quietly, and in recent years, I have been more bold about the struggle, here on my blog.  Most of the time, an episode of depression starts from a care, worry or anxiety about something I have no control over.  It snowballs into constant thought on said circumstance, and then into being completely overwhelmed by life.

My head knows 1 Peter 5:6-7 by heart.  I learned it when I was in second grade at my small Christian School.  We even had a song that went with it.  "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you."

But, getting head knowledge into your heart can sometimes be a long process.  Other times, it's like a miraculous healing and you just get it.  For me, learning to apply 1 Peter 5:7 was a long process.  Coming to fully understand that He fully cares for me was pivotal.  I really like the Amplified version of verse 7b "for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully."

I sometimes skip over verse 6 because I like to think that I'm a pretty humble person.  However, this verse is a verb.  Humble yourself, girl.  I think that's how God is talking to me.  He says "Humble yourself, girl.  Get under my mighty hand.  I'm bigger than you, and I can handle this life.  This life - it's more than you can handle alone, so don't try to do it all alone - I care for you."

I don't know about you, but it gives me a lot of freedom when I know I don't need to watch my back or up or below or in front of me with such intensity.  He cares enough to watch over me.  He cares enough to cover all my anxiety.  Why should I take on that burden, too?  We can nail it to the cross where Jesus paid for it all.  He has redeemed it all, and already provided for it all.

What is weighing heavy on your heart today?  Are you full of anxiety or worry?  Will you come with me and lay those things at the feet of Jesus today?

Father, we lift up all of our worries and anxieties to you.  We lay them at your feet.  We know that you are ABLE to do exceeding, abundantly above all that we could ask or think.  We know we don't gain anything by worrying about our tomorrows, but You hold all of our tomorrows in Your capable, loving hands.  We lay it all down and surrender all anxiety and worry to you.  In Jesus Name, Amen!