This is a continuation of a bible study on 1 Peter.  This is the fifth installment.  Here Peter encourages believers in the faith to stand firm and give their worries to God during trails in order to be restored and to find strength.

1 Peter 5:6-8, New International Version (NIV)

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

1 Peter 5:6-8, The Message (MSG)

6-7 So be content with who you are, and don’t put on airs. God’s strong hand is on you; he’ll promote you at the right time. Live carefree before God; he is most careful with you. 8 Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up.

1 Peter 5:6-8, Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)

6 So be humble under God’s powerful hand. Then he will lift you up when the right time comes. 7 Give all your worries to him, because he cares for you. 8 Control yourselves and be careful! The devil is your enemy, and he goes around like a roaring lion looking for someone to attack and eat.

The first word that stood out to me was anxiety.   Anxiety is the most common mental illness in America as approximately 40 million adults are affected by it. [1]  The emotional effects of anxiety may include “feelings of apprehension or dread, trouble concentrating, feeling tense or jumpy, anticipating the worst, irritability, restlessness, watching for signs of danger, and feeling like your mind’s gone blank.” [2]  I think what Peter is trying to tell us is that the secret to being less anxious is to be humble (“be humble” and then “He will lift you up”).  When we admit our frailty we realize our need.  When we are proud or think we can handle it all on our own is when we fail to cast our anxieties on Christ because we think we have the power to control things that are beyond our control.

In the very next sentence Peter tells us to be alert because there is an enemy seeking to devour us.  This is a further reminder of why it’s so important to cast our cares on our Creator, we need to have control over our thought life and not be worrying (and/or anxious) to the point where we lose concentration or our mind goes blank.  Again, when we confess our need is when we will most seek him.  If you are undergoing trial – seek Him, seek His word, seek His presence.

What makes you anxious?  Have you cast your cares on Christ?  Peter’s reminder to cast our anxiety reminded me of a verse that talks about how important it is to be in God’s Word and to meditate on His wisdom for us.

Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. (Romans 1:28)

The warning is this – if you do not think it is worthwhile to study God’s word, you are in danger of being given over to a depraved mind…  sounds a lot like the description above where an anxious person was experiencing “feelings of apprehension or dread, trouble concentrating, … and feeling like your mind’s gone blank”; a depraved mind.

Casting our cares on Him does not mean:

• caring so little that you fall for anything (Prov. 14:8)
• that you fail to give thought to your steps (Prov. 14:15)
• that you blindly follow; Proverbs tells us to seek wisdom and understanding (Prov. 19:8 & Prov. 3:13-14)
• that you fail to plan; Proverbs says the plans of the diligent lead to profit (Prov. 21:5)
• that you fail to use your best judgment and discernment (Prov. 3:21-23)

It is very important to be in God’s word and to meditate on it – to seek wisdom and understanding from it.  Proverbs 3:21-23 explains that seeking wisdom and discernment will bring life.  By pursuing God’s will in the study of His word you will secure your “safety” and your “foot will not stumble”.

Trust in the Lord and cast your cares on Him.

Isaiah 26:3, New International Version (NIV)

3 You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.

Praying that you find yourself wrapped in His loving arms while He takes care of all the troublesome details of your everyday life.  May you find rest and refreshment for your soul.

In His Grip,

Monica

To read earlier posts in this series you can click on the links below:
1 Peter 1: 3-5
1 Peter 2: 1-3
1 Peter 2: 9-10
1 Peter 3: 1-4
1 Peter 4: 7-11

[1] Robin Henig “ANXIETY!”, The New York Times Magazine 4 Oct. 2009: 1(L)

Smith, Melinda (2008, June). Anxiety attacks and disorders: Guide to the signs, symptoms, and treatment options. Retrieved March 3, 2009, from Helpguide Web site:http://www.helpguide.org/mental/anxiety_types_symptoms_treatment.htm

[2] Robin Henig “ANXIETY!”, The New York Times Magazine 4 Oct. 2009: 1(L)