Jon Moffitt
When we share our deepest fears and anxieties, it’s often because we trust that the person we confide in genuinely cares about our well-being. They have a sincere interest in our lives.
However, sharing isn’t always easy. Sometimes, we hesitate because we don’t want to burden the people we love. Other times, embarrassment holds us back. We might think, “Why can’t I let this go? What’s wrong with me? People must think I’m weak or crazy!” This feeling is all too familiar.
At its core, anxiety stems from a sense of helplessness—a belief that we can’t handle what lies ahead. This is completely understandable. We live in a spiritual warzone where Satan’s dark forces aim to keep us trapped in mental prisons. These prisons rob us of joy and hinder our ability to love and care for others. Paul refers to these as strongholds created by lies. While the lies of a child are easy to detect, the deceptions of “the god of this world,” practiced over millennia, are much harder to expose.
Paul's Answer to Anxiety
Paul lovingly reminds the church in Philippi that there is nothing in this world worth being anxious about. His solution? Bring your concerns to God. He says, “In everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” (Phil. 4:6).
What worries you? What do you need? Paul doesn’t simply say, “Stop worrying!” Instead, he urges us to talk to our King—our loving Father, the one with limitless power. And what happens when we do this?
“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:7).
This peace doesn’t make sense from the world’s perspective. But according to Paul, it’s real. Notice, Paul doesn’t promise that God will grant every request, but rather that He will give us peace, knowing that our concerns are now in His capable hands.
Does God Care to Listen?
One of Satan’s greatest lies is convincing us that God doesn’t care about our anxieties. But Scripture says otherwise. Satan seeks to destroy our trust in God, keeping us from the joy and freedom that come from surrendering our burdens.
Paul writes, “For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ” (2 Cor. 10:4–5).
When anxiety grips us, we may hesitate to approach our loving King. But Hebrews reminds us of Jesus’ heart:
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin” (Heb. 4:15).
Jesus understands. He sympathizes. His posture toward us is one of compassion and acceptance. Peter echoes this sentiment: “Cast all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you” (1 Pet. 5:7).
"Because He Cares For You!"
To “cast” means to throw off. We’re invited to hurl our burdens onto Jesus, who eagerly waits to carry them.
How Often Should We Come?
Peter uses the present tense—“casting”—implying that this is an ongoing process. It’s not a one-time act. Hebrews 4:16 encourages us:
“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
As often as we need, we can approach God for mercy and grace. We ask for mercy because we’ve doubted His protection. We ask for grace to strengthen our faith in His promises.
The Battle Against Anxiety
Anxiety isn’t something we “get over.” We will continue to battle it until Christ’s return and the restoration of His perfect kingdom. But we are not alone. We can bring our worries to our King, who is eager to carry them. In exchange, He offers peace—sometimes for the day, sometimes just for the moment.
The more we practice casting our cares on Him, the less power anxiety will have over us. Struggles will remain, but they don’t have to imprison us or steal our hope and joy. Don’t complicate giving your King your anxiety. Just start telling him why you are struggling. Know he wants to hear from you, he cares, and he will provide peace when you trust him.
