You know that scripture that says to "cast all your cares on Him, for He cares for you."? (1 Peter 5:7) Well, I propose that it's easy to read, easy to say, and harder to do. Peter is calling the readers to toss all our cares on God and let Him do the caring for us. But for me, as a caregiver, I have a little glitch, and it seems to be a bit more complicated of late since my son's had some upper respiratory stuff going on, and I'm getting less and less sleep.
I'd like to write God and Peter some letters and ask them about the logistics of this verse. Even if I do accomplish the task given, and I'm able to hand God all my cares - there's still so much to get done. He obviously doesn't come down and take care of my son for a day so that I can have a day off. Lol. So, when I don't feel I understand a scripture or I have trouble with its application - it's a sign I need to dig a little deeper, right?
If we go back and read this verse in context, maybe it'll help. Actually, verse 7 is not a stand-alone sentence, it starts with a comma, so it's a continuation of a thought. Verse 6 starts with a reminder to humble ourselves before God so He can exalt us at the right time. Then it continues that with - casting all your care on Him. Next, Peter reminds the new believers to be sober and vigilant - and then tells them why. Because our enemy would like nothing more than to find us vulnerable so he can take advantage of us and devour us, if possible. And then the connection comes. Suffering.
The Christians Peter was writing to were being persecuted beyond what most of us can even imagine. Caregiving brings with it a whole different type of suffering, but it's still a suffering soul as we care for our loved ones. Grief often fills our hearts whether we are mourning a parent or elderly loved one who can no longer function as they used to, or are caring for a child who never got to reach their potential or anything in between or beyond. There is suffering. There is grief. There is giving up of our own desires to care for another person. All admirable and inspiring to others. But it still hurts.
Finally, I found what I needed. At last, I found the missing part of casting it all over on Him. It's in the last part of verse 10. After you have suffered a while, Peter says, then God (the one who is carrying our hearts, our cares, and us half the time), will mature, establish, strengthen, and settle us. Just a brief look at the Greek terms used here in my handy-dandy Strong's lets me know it's worth a little more study!
Even in the midst of suffering, hardship, calamity, and just an overall bumpy life - God is working His plan through us. So, when we cast our cares over to Him (even if we have to do it 900 times a day), He helps us mature in Him, be established in His word, get stronger so we can run to Him faster, and He settles us forever as one of His own.
Today, I'll first remind myself to give it all to Him over and over again. Then, I'll meditate on these four things that HE works in us - when we give it all to Him. And to think He does that even in the midst of suffering. He doesn't wait until we have it all together - He just waits until we wait - on Him. So, today, I will wait on Him to rescue my soul and fill it with His peace - even in the suffering and hardships of the day. And I'll trust Him for one more day - will you join me?
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