How to deal with anxiety in difficult times

"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you" (1 Peter 5:7).

The apostle Peter wrote this letter to Christians throughout the Roman Empire who were suffering persecution from unbelieving Jews and Gentiles. In this passage, Peter shows how they should face the anxiety they are feeling in this situation: they should cast that anxiety on God. By doing so, they would recognize that they are helpless and weak, and that God is able to care for them.

"All your anxiety" is a reference Peter makes to the anguish Christians felt due to hostility and persecution from pagans, such as fear of death, fear of suffering, concern for family and friends, and other similar fears. The word "anxiety" comes from a Greek word meaning part, piece or division, which accurately describes an anxious heart: it is divided, pulled in all directions and in constant distress.

Christians must "cast on him" all these anxieties; that is, they must place all their cares and fears in God's mighty hands, and rest their troubled hearts. This is done, in practice, through prayer and petition, in which we confess our weaknesses to God, tell Him our troubles and needs, plead for His favor and grace, and rest confident that He has heard us. It is implied, though unspoken, that dwelling on these anxieties would be a form of elation and pride.

"Worry is a form of pride because when believers are filled with anxiety, they are convinced that they must solve all the problems of their lives in their own strength. The only god they trust is themselves. When believers cast their concerns about God, express their trust in His mighty hand, acknowledging that He is Lord and Sovereign over all life" (T. Schreiner).

They are encouraged by Peter to do this "because he cares for you", says the apostle. Even if it didn't seem like it, God was taking care of them in the midst of suffering, not necessarily releasing them from pain, but not allowing it to exceed their limits and giving them grace to endure and remain faithful. God was not insensitive to their suffering. God's care for them could also be a reference to what He prepared for them at the coming of Christ, as Peter had already said at the beginning of the letter (1 Peter 1:3-7).

This exhortation of Peter reflects the teaching of many Psalms that encourage the faithful to cast their burdens upon God (Ps 22:10; 37:5; 55:22), as well as the teachings of the Lord Jesus against anxiety (Matthew 6:25 -34).

In this way, Christians are encouraged to trust God and rest in Him in the midst of the most terrible sufferings, confident that Almighty God is caring for them, even if that care is not always noticeable.

SOURCE: AUGUSTUS NICODEMUS LOPES