Cast Your Cares
As a college student, the final weeks of a semester can be very stressful as they are filled with countless assignments, papers, and exams. For me personally, looking at my planner earlier this week nearly sent me into a frenzy. I began thinking, “I can’t do this!”…“How am I going to get all of this done?”…”I just feel like giving up!”…”How will I get through this?” For the past few days, every time I looked at my planner these thoughts began racing through my mind. These weren’t healthy thoughts and as a resulted I experienced a migraine each day I allowed these thoughts to consume me.
After three consecutive days of non-stop worrying, I experienced a break-down. I found myself crying out to God, pleading for Him to help me get through these next few weeks and to give me strength. I asked Him to give me strategies as to how to go about completing the many tasks at hand. I prayed for peace and asked Him to walk with me through this journey. What I was actually doing throughout this process was casting my cares on Him — laying my problems at His feet and trusting that He would resolve them and give me the strength to endure.
As a result of my prayers last night, I woke up feeling empowered. God had given me a fresh wind! And because I entrusted Him with my problems, I no longer carried those unnecessary burdens. But why did it take me so long to realize that God was there to help me and to take care of my problems? So many times I feel that we forget this, because we so heavily rely on ourselves and others to do and figure everything out. However, I am here to remind you that when things begin to feel unbearable God is there to take on your problems and free you of all your concerns.
So if things like doubt, stress, worry, and fear currently consume your life, I challenge you to cast your cares on God and trust that He will step in to be whatever it is that you need to Him to be. And in the future (talking to myself as well), practice faith instead of worrying. Rather than let thoughts like “I can’t do this!” over take you, declare that “I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me (Philippians 4:13)!” And watch God take care of the rest!
Be encouraged,
Imanne
Meditation Scriptures/Quotes:
“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7
“Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken.” Psalm 55:22
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God…” John 14:1
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
“Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow. It empties today of its strength.” - Corrie Ten Boom