Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7
What are you doing with your cares – the big things you are so concerned and worried about that they are keeping you up at night and weighing you down during the day? What are you doing with all the little things that are stealing your peace and joy? Are you following the instructions of your loving heavenly Father? Are you transferring all your anxieties that you have been carrying from your back to HIs back?
The Bible gives a clear picture of how to make this anxiety transfer. The word “casting” which appears in 1 Peter 5:7 occurs one other time in the New Testament. Before Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the disciples brought a donkey to Jesus. “They cast their garments upon the colt, and they set Jesus upon him.” Luke 19:35 Just as the disciples “cast” their garments on the donkey’s back and let him carry them, you are to cast all your anxieties – your garments of heaviness – unto Jesus, Who will carry them for you. (Mt. 11:28; Ps. 55:22)
The key to this “anxiety transfer” is humbling yourself under God’s mighty hand.
The key to this “anxiety transfer,” according to 1 Peter 5:6, is humbling yourself under God’s mighty hand. A good way to practice true humility is by remembering the acronym B.O.W.
B – Believe God’s Word – “All” of His promises for “all” of your cares. Believe that Jesus already bore all your burdens – all your sins, all your sicknesses, and all your cares – so that you would not need to bear them through the work of the cross. (Is. 53,4,11-12; 1 Peter 2:24, Matt. 8:17)
O – Obey God and His Word by casting all your cares – all your concerns and anxieties – upon Jesus.
W – Worship God, the One Who is offering you the “garment of praise” – the “garments of salvation” and Jesus’ “robe of righteousness” – for your “garment of heaviness”, because He passionately cares for you! (Is. 61:3,10)
So, when the pressure seems to mount and you can’t see how it will work out for your health, your finances, your relationships, your business, or any other concern, resist bowing to the lies of the devil, your adversary, who wants you to believe that you are too unworthy to receive God’s care. (1 Peter 5:8-9) Instead, B.O.W. to Jesus, casting all your cares upon Him, confidently trusting that He will take good care of you and all that concerns you.