“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
1 Peter 5:7
Several statistics cite that this generation is the most depressed and most anxious in recorded history. Never have people been so hopeless, so worried, and so stressed as they are now. Of course a lot of that can be attributed to the hyper-speed of our world with all of the technology that we have, our constant connections through social media, and many more unique circumstances to this age. I don’t believe that it is coincidental, however, that this generation is also the least religious in recent history.
Anxiety (not the mental illness, but the normal human emotion) is caused by uncertainty, fear of the unknown. You worry because you’re living paycheck to paycheck and if there are any unexpected costs you may not be able to pay them. You become anxious. You have a big presentation at work and you know that if you don’t do well you may lose your job. You prepare and plan, but you have no way of knowing what will happen, and you become anxious. It’s a normal part of the human experience. But God doesn’t want that for us.
God doesn’t want us to worry or to have anxiety. Over and over again throughout scripture he instructs us not to worry, not to be anxious, not to be afraid. He tells us to trust him. Yet here we are, the most anxious generation in recent history. Why? Because we don’t trust him.
What could be more reassuring than knowing that the God who created the entire world – who made you and everyone around you, who knows how many stars are in the sky and how many hairs are on your head – loves you, wants the best for you, and has promised to take care of you?
We need to learn to trust again. We need to learn to rely on God, not our jobs, our wealth, our relationships, or ourselves. Everything in this world will eventually come to an end or fail or let you down. God won’t. To know that he cares, that he is working things out for your own good, that he has a good plan for your life, that’s the most reassuring thing I know.
Take your fears, your worries, and your anxieties to him. Tell him your struggles and watch as he works in your life. Let go of the control you so tightly cling to, and let God take care of you. He wants to give you an easy burden, a smooth road, a well-lit path. Let him.
Prayer:
Father,
Thank you for loving me. Thank you for always reassuring me that you are there, that you care, and that you are working for me. I pray for this generation. I pray that they will come to know you and that they will find hope and assurance in you. Help me not to worry, not to be anxious, and not to cling to control. I trust you.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
