The writer of a business book popular some years ago urged readers to consider hiring virtual assistants to offload tedious tasks and save time. In one amusing section, he recognized his preoccupation with anxious thoughts over a particular situation. Seeking to free his mind for other tasks, he contacted his virtual assistant and instructed her to worry about the matter instead.
Though humorous, the concept of paying someone else to worry for you makes sense if it would free your mind for better use. This author’s idea was not original; in one of Peter’s epistles we see the same suggestion to outsource worry—for free!
Peter explained that we believers should be casting all our cares on God, for He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). Of course He cares about us, and one can read it that way, but a deeper understanding grasps that because He loves us so much and cares so deeply, our concerns become His concerns. He doesn’t worry, of course, but He invites us to transfer the burden of worry to Him in prayer so we experience relief and free our minds for better things.
The apostle Paul wrote,
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God (Philippians 4:6).
Another disciple, John, tells us God’s response:
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of Him (1 John 5:14-15).
We can outsource our worries to God and trust Him to do what we cannot! David, a man after God’s own heart, expressed confidence in God’s love and faithfulness in writing, The Lord will accomplish what concerns me (Psalm 138:8 NASB). In another Psalm he wrote, Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden (Psalm 68:19).
Our worrying accomplishes nothing; it just wears us out and makes us no fun to be around. How much better to hand our concerns over to God and let Him handle them! One word picture I heard years ago was of a little child making a mess of some yarn, but instead of crying or laboring over a task beyond her capability, simply handing the knotted ball over to a patient, loving parent to untangle—then running off to play!
What loving parent would want to see their child consumed by worry and care? God doesn’t want that for you. It’s why Jesus told us to not let our hearts be troubled or fearful. One translation expounds, Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled (John 14:27 AMPC).
When we give in to fear and worry, we allow ourselves to become distracted and unavailable to God and others. How much time do you devote to worry and anxiety? Do you often find yourself unsettled? We all are tempted this way, but God gives us a way of escape! It’s up to you and me to take it. Let’s outsource all those cares to God!
Love it, JB! – and enjoyed your use of birds as illustrations – “His eye is on the sparrow…”
Cast your cares on Him – easier said than done! But even when I hold my worries too closely to heart, I am comforted that I stand on a solid foundation of His love and provision. No matter what happens. And the more time I spend with Jesus, and allow the Holy Spirit to work through me, the more I can live out that confidence that He’s got this. I need to work, but I don’t need to worry about it!
I love that reminder of confidence in and reliance on Him, Norm!