Casting

by Warren Berkley

When my sons were little boys, we would be working on some project, assembling something or fixing something and, to the best of my ability, I would oversee and advise. I would instruct them, get the necessary materials or tools, but let them do the work. Sometimes, their level of frustration came to a point where they just turned it over to me and watched. I would take over, but when complete, I was careful to show my pleasure with their participation.

It was very similar to the Biblical concept of “casting.” You take something you cannot fix or handle and you turn it over to God. You do all you are able to do. And, you stay involved in doing what is right. But you come to a place of such pressure and anxiety, you must hand it over to God: Casting.

There are three things you can do with anxiety:

1. You can hold it in: internalize it, let it make you miserable and irritable, get up with it every day.
2. You can unload your stress on others: complaining, venting, expressing your bitterness to others who may only be receivers of your stress, but not the cause.
3. You can give it to God.

Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee; He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. (Psa 55:22)

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 Pet 5:6-7)