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ODJ: anxious times

Railway station

March 8, 2010 


Give all your worries and cares to God, for 
He cares about you (v.7). 

READ: 1 Peter 5:6-11 

My friends were dealing with a daughter who was
 struggling physically and emotionally. Unable to 
 determine the source of her problems, they were getting stretched thin. Not surprisingly, as their precious girl struggled with her anxiety—that invisible foe with physical manifestations—they too started to become anxious.


The world events over the past few years have led many people to experience anxious times. And while anxiety has different degrees of severity, with some people needing professional help, the apostle Peter has given us a prescription for dealing with it: “Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you” (1 Peter 5:7).


Peter’s two-pronged plan leads us to:


• Act. We can actively release our concerns to Jesus. The verb give, in verse 7, literally means “to throw upon.” By “tossing” our worries to Him, we can experience a release from the anxiety that’s threatening to take us down (Matthew 6:25-34).


• Acknowledge. We can be encouraged and sustained by the recognition that “He cares about [us]” (1 Peter 5:7). Instead of staying in emotional turmoil, we have the uplifting opportunity to look to the One who cares and provides for us (Philippians 4:19).


One of Peter’s traveling companions, the apostle Paul, expresses some similar thoughts: “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done” (4:6). Both men faced “high anxiety” situations in which their faith was tested, so their words come from real experience.


Take Peter and Paul’s words to heart if you’re feeling anxious today. By taking action (giving your troubles to God) and acknowledging God’s care for you (looking to Him, not to your own resources), you can find rest and restoration 
(1 Peter 5:10). —Tom Felten

NEXT
How have you been trying to handle your anxious thoughts and spirit? What will happen if you choose to act and acknowledge today? 

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3 Responses to “ODJ: anxious times”

  1. Heidy says:

    Another reminder from God to give all my worries and anxiety to Him in the first place. He really understand my biggest weakness :)

  2. Brawin joshua says:

    Im very much blessed to read our daily bread devotionals….im from INDIA i thank u all! JESUS LOVES U & I lOVE U TOO.

  3. Joanna says:

    In the midst of a mountain high homework pile and a volcano size events to plan, God has certainly drawn me near to him just by reading His word. Thank you, Lord!!

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