Do you struggle with Anxiety?

Do you struggle with anxiety?

I was reading I Peter 5:6-8 today.   In verse 6 it says to "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time."  THEN it verse 7 it says to "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."  It goes on in verse 8 to say "Be alert and of sober mind. our enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour."  

It struck me when I was reading that the FIRST step is to humble ourselves under God's mighty hand, then he will lift us up.  THEN we can cast our anxiety on him because he cares for you.  I realized that when I am anxious about something that I'm not trusting God to take care of whatever it is.  It's like I'm saying that I'm BIGGER than God, more capable than God.  That's why we need to humble ourselves.  It is a matter of admitting that I'm not allowing God to work in my life (repenting).  God is so much bigger, and much more capable of handling anything than I could ever be.  As the song Way Maker says, God is present, a way maker, a miracle worker, He keeps his promises, and He is a light in our darkness.  I have experienced God in all those ways.  I can reflect on specific instances and it helps me remember that God will make a way, He will work miracles in ways I could never imagine.  When I have a need, I humble myself, and ask God to intervene and provide for the need. He always provides.  If you don't have any big moments where you have experienced that yet, then reflect on what you do know, what little things God has done for you to date.  

Casting your anxiety on God because God cares for you can stop the anxiety because YOU don't have to make something happen.  God just wants you to do your part to keep your family safe and trust God for the rest.  You can following the guidelines for keeping safe in the COVID-19 crisis (for instance), and allow God to take care of the rest to keep you and your family safe.  Does it mean never going out of your house again because you might get germs?  NO!  God knows we need human interaction.  God is so good and cares about us so much He wants what is best for you physically and mentally.  There are a number of things to do outside, even while encountering other people, where you can keep 6 feet away and still have fun.  So cast your anxiety on God and petition God to take care of you and your family.  We can't follow the latest trend or news about how to go about being safe.  The best to follow about safety is God.  Ask him what to do during each situation.  Keeping God in our conversation all day, talk to God in the morning, noon, and  night.  Talk to God as you go out and as you come back home.  He is waiting to hear from us.  

Lastly, in 1 Peter 5:8 it says "Be alert and of sober mind. our enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." What strikes me about that is it is "like" a roaring lion.  It is not a roaring lion.  The lion is the Lion of Judah.  Not the "like" a roaring lion.  You have power in the cross.  God will fight for you!  All you have to do is humble yourself before God and ask Him to fight for you and He will. The enemy wants you to be afraid of what can happen, to be afraid of the unknown.  But God says many times in the Bible, do not be afraid or do not be anxious (depending on your translation).  

Look at Matthew 10:26-33, it says "have no fear of them, do not fear, and fear not" in just those verses.  

Matt 10:26"So have no fear of them, 'for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known."  

Matt 10:27  "What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you have whispered, proclaim on the housetops."  

Matt 10:28 "And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.  Rather fear him who can destroy both soil and body in hell."

Matt 10:29-31 "Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But, even the hairs of your head are all numbered.  Fear not,  therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows."  

If God cares so much for sparrows, He will surely care more for you.  He will meet your needs.  He will provide for you, care for you, and love you.  Yes, He loves you like no one ever can.  He sacrificed His own son, Jesus, for you.  You can trust Him to take care of those that are His own.  YOU can be God's own as well if you humble yourself, come into agreement that Jesus is God's son, admit that you are a sinner and need God, and ask Him into your heart.  If you take this step with sincerity you will be one of God's own and you can trust that God will meet your needs.  You won't have to worry, fear, or be anxious any more as you trust God to meet your needs.  So much peace is available to those who rely on God for the unknown.