Encouragement for Today
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June 19, 2025 Letting Go of Worry and Learning To Cast Our Cares |
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)
On a cold day in Georgia, I met with a young mom at a local coffee shop. As we sipped hot tea, she spoke about her tendency to worry, fears that paralyzed her faith, and a sense that she was unworthy of God’s love. These emotions led her to question whether God truly cared about her circumstances.
Eight years ago, I could’ve been her. My story mirrored hers, and I could have finished her sentences. My constant worrying robbed me of trusting that He truly cared. Anxiety crippled my faith, convincing me I needed to control everything.
Sound familiar?
Many of us face similar struggles, regardless of age or how long we’ve followed Jesus. Worry can creep in, whispering that we must manage every aspect of life — family, finances, health, and everything in between. It distorts our perspective, making us believe that if one detail slips through our fingers, everything will unravel.
For the worriers, 1 Peter 5:7 extends a gentle call: “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
This verse invites us to release our burdens to God, trusting that He who loves us deeply can carry what we were never meant to bear.
The truth is God doesn’t call us to control. He calls us to trust: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5, ESV). When circumstances are beyond our control, we can find rest in Him.
God invites us to bring every worry and lay them at His feet, trusting the One who never leaves us in distress: “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6, ESV).
His invitation to cast our cares on Him is a timely reminder that we're not in control, but He is, and He continually watches over us.
Sitting across from my friend that day reminded me of God's unwavering care for our well-being and of the support we find in community. Rather than facing life’s struggles alone, we embody God’s love when we share in those difficult moments — reminding one another that we are already valued and cherished as His children.
If you’re struggling with worry, here are three steps I’ve learned that may help you trust God more fully:
1. Identify your anxieties. Write down your concerns, and consider sharing them with a trusted friend. Acknowledging worries empowers us to overcome them.
2. Pray through your fears. Prayer helps us demonstrate faith in God’s sovereignty over our lives and shifts our focus from our limitations to His limitless power.
3. Choose to surrender. Trust is a continual choice. When worries arise, remember you don’t carry them alone. Entrust them to God, knowing He’s reliable and ready to help.
These steps won’t make life worry-free, but my prayer is that they anchor your faith and strengthen your trust in God.
Dear God, I surrender my worries to You. Help me trust, rest, and rely on Your strength and sovereignty always. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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For more encouragement, you can connect with Jackie Smith-Bell on her Instagram or check out her three-day Bible plan on YouVersion, Abiding Hope: Standing in Faith When Life Is Crumbling.
Also, don’t miss her four-day Bible plan, Shedding Shame for Surrender: Finding Healing in God’s Love.
FOR DEEPER STUDY
Philippians 4:6-7, “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (ESV).
Have anxious thoughts been robbing you of peace of mind recently? How can the wisdom of today’s devotion help you shift from worrying and relying on your own efforts to trusting in God? Share with us in the comments!© 2025 by Jackie Smith-Bell. All rights reserved.
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Matthews, NC 28106
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