IMMERSION - The Daily Devotional from Harvest Bible Chapel West Minneapolis The Art of Casting by Chris Courtney “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” – 1 Peter 5:6-7 (ESV) As a professional fisherman, Simon Peter knew a thing or two about casting. There is an art to it. You don’t simply toss your net into the water – or your line, as we fish with rod and reel today. You cast intentionally. You aim for your target on the water and you throw. Peter is not instructing us to merely toss aside our anxieties and fears. While that may sound good and well, it does nothing for the anxious mind but leave a gaping hole to be filled with more fear. You need a place to bury the anxieties, and something better to fill the void. Faith is what’s needed to replace the fear you cast on the LORD. It may not be easy to do. Often we learn to live with our anxieties. We’ve cohabitated so long with the discomfort of worry that the comfort and strength of God feels foreign. You see, worry is really just worst case scenario faith. It is the firm belief that something awful is going to happen. And it produces anxiety, which freezes us in place. Why step out in faith? What if God isn’t there? What if I make a mistake? What if… what if… what if… Peter provides for us the perfect antidote to anxiety. First, humble ourselves. Quit focusing on self. Focus on Jesus. Focus on God’s Word. Focus on others. Second, recognize that “at the proper time” God will come. He’s never early, never late. He is always right on time. Third, cast that fear – the anxious thoughts, the worries and doubts – squarely on God. And leave them there. Don’t go back and pick them up again. Trust that the LORD has every detail of your life in His hands. If anything “bad” happens, He’s got it. Nothing surprises God. Never will He say, “Uh-oh. I didn’t see...
Posted on: Mon, 28 Apr 2014 09:55:58 +0000
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