August 1, 2018
You Don’t Have to Carry Your Worries (God’s Carrying Them for You)
Jessica Smartt
Today’s Truth
Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you (I Peter 5:6-7).
Friend to Friend
I am a mom to a child with life-threatening allergies. It’s been nine years, but it hasn’t ever gotten easier, or less scary, or normal. I wouldn’t trade this kid for the whole world, but at times, the job of managing it all seems too much.
What struck me the other day, as it often has, is how carefree my son is. Gradually he will shoulder the load of managing his allergies, but to this point, it is mostly ME doing all the things: reading the labels, washing the hands and the dishes before prepping his food, calling companies, knowing what’s safe and what’s not safe.
My son isn’t worried, because he knows I am. He doesn’t ask me a million times what I’m giving him, or where it came from, or, “Is it really safe for me to eat”? He sits down and enjoys, because he trusts that I have handled all that. (And I have.)
And I felt a gentle reminder recently, “You can be like that, too, Jessica. I have this handled, and you can relax.”
Oh, to embrace this kind of carefree peace that the Lord is offering me.
Oh, to believe so completely that my Heavenly Father has handled all of the details, from beginning to end of my story.
Oh, to sit down at the table of life and freely eat, enjoying each bite of goodness that is on my plate, knowing that what is in front of me is safe, and good, because it has passed through my Father’s hands.
Friend, I don’t know what load is burdening you today. I don’t know what worries are dragging you down, what fears haunt your thoughts, what concerns press in all around. I do know that whatever it is that’s keeping us up at night - He’s already up, and He’s already handled it. We don’t have to worry, because He is carrying those worries for us.
And perhaps that is where the analogy breaks down. When I care for my son, my “care” often tips into worry, fear and anxiety. Yet Our Lord is never like this. He is fully equipped to manage every jot and iota in our lives, He loves us beyond measure, and His plan is unequivocally good. His is a powerful, nearby love that wraps around us even in the most terrifying times. He is always present, always loving, always in control. This is tremendously comforting to me.
Let’s Pray
Lord, sometimes the load of life is overwhelming, and we cannot carry it. At those times, Lord, let us not seek to become stronger, but to rest in Your mighty hands. The things we are worried about - will You carry them for us? It’s too much for us, Lord. We need You.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
That heavy thing that you know that you are carrying - right now, open your hands up. Close your eyes and imagine releasing that load to the Lord. Let Him carry your burden. (Hint: He already is.)
More from the Girlfriends
Jessica Smartt is an author/speaker, a wife, and homeschooling mom of three kids in beautiful North Carolina. Jessica loves to encourage families to build memories and traditions together. Check out her new resource: 101 Awesome Summer Bucket List Ideas for Families. To receive your free copy, sign up HERE.
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