Worry is one thing I do well. I suspect you worry, too.  There’s plenty to worry about in this life!

I’m learning to conquer worry by casting every care on the Lord. That’s the second key to dispensing the sweet fragrance of Christ as we walk through this life. Last week we looked at the first key—getting to know the Lord intimately and putting his teachings into practice.

Why do we worry?

Listen to what Jesus said to his disciples: “…do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.

“Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

“Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!” (Luke 12:22-28 NIV).

God has a program for carefree living.

Here’s how I found it. My friend Evangelist Walter St. Clair asked me to write his life story, and we started to work on A Journey of Victory. Since he lived in Florida and my home is Tennessee, we spent about 100 hours on the phone. He always ended our conversation with Scripture, often quoting these familiar words.

“Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved” (Psalm 55:22 KJV). The promise embedded itself in my heart.

I ran into a friend—we hadn’t seen each other since childhood—and soon learned about her hard place. Her husband had deserted her and she was working two jobs to make ends meet. There wasn’t time to give much encouragement, but I offered to send one of my books.

Later, I signed it, “Remembering carefree days.” Suddenly I heard God’s voice in my heart.

I still have a program for care-free living. Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

Psalm 55:22…God’s program for carefree living!

Psalm 55:22…God’s program for carefree living! Click To Tweet

As the Lord began teaching me to apply that awesome promise, I learned to rest in situations that threatened my peace. Once I cried out to him about a circumstance, “Lord, this is out of my hands!” He answered.

And you’re crying because this is out of your feeble hands and into my almighty hands?

Worry? I can go back there at any moment…or I can choose another way.

“Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. And God’s peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7 Amplified).

Our peace doesn’t depend on getting God to do things our way.

Our peace doesn’t depend on getting God to do things our way. Click To Tweet

It’s his gift when we present our request, knowing he heard and leaving the matter in his almighty hands. “But certainly God has heard me; He has given heed to the voice of my prayer. Blessed be God, Who has not rejected my prayer nor removed His mercy and loving-kindness from being [as it always is] with me” (Psalm 66:19-20 Amplified).

“And this is the confidence (the assurance, the privilege of boldness) which we have in Him: [we are sure] that if we ask anything (make any request) according to His will (in agreement with His own plan), He listens to and hears us.

“And if (since) we [positively] know that He listens to us in whatever we ask, we also know [with settled and absolute knowledge] that we have [granted us as our present possessions] the requests made of Him” (1 John 5:14-15 Amplified).

Precious friend, are you in a place you never saw coming in your wildest nightmare? Feeling as if you’re in the middle of a river at flood stage, hanging by a thread of hope?

Cast your burden on the Lord and he will sustain you. He will not let you drown. Cry out to him about the cares of your heart. Cast every burden on him and rest, knowing he’s heard. This is out of your feeble hands and into his almighty hands.

You and I can also talk. Please leave a comment. I’d appreciate your sharing this post with friends.

© Dianne Barker 2018

Find last week’s post here: https://diannebarker.com/?p=558