1 PETER 5:6-11
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Lately I have been feeling a little anxious about different things in life. Relationships, money (have one child starting college), work (pastoring ain’t easy) 🙂 and getting older. All of these things have been weighing on my mind and at times makes me difficult to be around or even makes me want to retreat and not be around others. As I was reading this passage, in 1Peter, I found it interesting that the first step in God restoring, confirming, strengthening and establishing is for me to “humble myself under his mighty hand” and then “cast my anxieties” on Him. So if I am worried and trying to solve my issues on my own is it actually prideful? Is it me not trusting God is in control and will take care of me? God wants to be in control. God has the plan for my life. He knows all of my story, beginning and end. He doesn’t want me to worry but he wants me humble myself in a way that I trust that he is in control and is a good “Daddy”. He wants to take care of me. He doesn’t want me to worry so much that He wants me to let Him have my concerns. He wants to show me that He has everything under control. Humble myself so He can exalt me. Give Him my anxieties because he cares. He will restore, confirm, strengthen and establish me. Got it.
Heavenly Father, I need you. I’m feeling anxious and I don’t love it. Thank you for wanting to take care of me. Thank you for wanting me not to worry about anything but give it all to you. You care so much for me. I’m thankful to you. Help me to remember, in my most anxious moments, that more than likely I’m trying to figure things out rather than humbling myself to your MIGHTY HAND. I want to let go of my worries and allow you lead me and take care of me. I love you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Paul Harris Ministries 