“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7
Jesus asked us to “cast our anxiety” on him. Cast actually meaning “throw away, get rid of, direct”1. What a gift; however, how difficult is that to do? I wouldn’t classify myself as a worrier, but if I am honest, yep, I do worry. I’d like to say I have so much faith and live so much for the Lord that nothing fazes me, but that would be a lie. While I may move forward in faith, worry and fear still dangle over my head. Worries change over time, right? As a child, before bed every night, I would pray that our home wouldn’t burn down. EVERY night! When I was in school, I would worry about grades and acceptance by peers. In college, I would worry about what I was supposed to “do with my life.” In relationships with others I may worry about what I said and how it affected someone or if it changed how they thought about me. And now, as a mother, I would say my biggest worry at times is, “Have I done enough to help them through what their struggle is?” “Is their struggle my fault?” “Have I made it worse?” The list could go on…
Why is it that if we can freely “cast our burden” on the Lord that we choose to carry it around in a backpack like it is ours to own? We are even supposed to rejoice in it!
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” James 1: 2-3
The boys and I were at an event this week. Everything was great until we stepped into the door and lots of various distractions were available to causes differences of opinions to strike. As I did my best to consider everyone’s wants and desires, what was happening within each of them was out of my control. All I could do was see it, talk about it, and do my best to bring us back together.
But God…
He knew my “worry.” He knew that I carried around that morning doubt in myself. Concern over my children’s enjoyment of the day. Fear of what may have come days before that could have sparked something today. Frustration that these amazing children who I am so proud of were not being who I knew them to be. Disappointment that what I thought would be a beautiful and fun experience was somewhat shadowed by a storm cloud. Sigh. After we had huddled outside a few times for heart to hearts, prayed, tried again….and again…and again, ha. We ended up stalling a little in the gift shop until the next thing we planned to do. Many items in the shop brought smiles to our faces. The people began to clear out and the distractions lifted and all that was left were the three of us. Peace began to settle in a bit more when I started to look at a rack of small charms. You may have seen them before, they come with a little card that gives you a message the item represents. I have seen these before, but that day, I saw one I had never seen before and was drawn to it. A small brownish bird. It was cute, so I grabbed the card.
The Little Worry Bird
“Life has its ups and downs;
You can’t help but wonder what to do.
Please don’t spend time worrying
Because I’ll always be here for you!
Just tell me all your troubles;
Then I’ll make them magically go away.
I’m your little worry bird,
Bringing happiness and luck your way.
-A.S. Waldrop
I dropped the bird back into the basket and moved on with my day. As we went into the next activity and then the car ride home, I still felt the “worry,” but I wasn’t calling it worry, I just wanted everyone to feel peace and the lack of peace in them was causing a lack of peace in me. As we were pulling into a drive through, I said out loud, “God, I could use some divine intervention here.” When the next thing I knew, I was greeted by the sweetest, loveliest drive through worker I have ever heard in my entire life! She called me “sweetie,” and told me I had made good choices. I had never had such encouragement on a drive through decision, ha! I guess I got what I needed! Then we proceeded home and made an impromptu stop at a friend’s which lit up all of us. I was so grateful the friend said yes and opened her door to us; it was just what we needed. Then the unusual miracle I would call it happened when I arrived home. I was unpacking all of our things. Taking off my warm layers and zipping up my gloves in pockets. Last step, removing my jacket to hang when I heard a thunk on the floor. I looked down and saw something in plastic lying near my feet. I went to grab it to throw away as I thought it was a wrapper when to my shock, it was The Worry Bird!
Somehow The Worry Bird that I had forgotten about until that moment flew home with me. How and where that little charm attached itself to me and got all the way home after walking decent distances, riding in the car for a couple hours, going in and out of a home and it fell off at my feet as I hung my jacket, I will never understand. I knew that “worry bird’s” message was important, so I looked it back up. This time, I was sitting at my kitchen table and God had my attention and as I pondered the message, I looked above my microwave at a sign I have sitting there, “Relax, God is in control.” What great lengths He had gone that day to remind me “He’s got this.”
It was such an exciting discovery that it lifted me right up. I placed that bird on my sign (pictured today) and called to make sure they charged me as I needed a clear conscience that I didn’t steal the bird! (Which could create more worry, ha!) I began to settle into His reminders to “cast my burdens on Him.”
So, how do we “count it joy” when we face trials and “cast our burdens” when we are trying to be responsible and live in peace? What I have learned, it isn’t a one-time occurrence. It takes acknowledging the trial or burden, seeking help from the right place, Him alone, and trusting the rest He will take care of. AND, knowing when He needs us again for that next action, He’ll make sure we get the message (even if it is a worry bird flying over a hundred miles home to fall at our feet!)
Father, whatever each of us are facing, please help us to remember and believe:
We are not alone
You remain in control
You will keep speaking to us until we hear you
We have nothing to fear
May your worry be replaced with trust and peace today!
Relax, God is in Control!
Warmly, Julie
Father, Today I Surrender:
My Worry
Show me the next step I should take.