Things are blown out of proportion when we focus on self rather than on God. Anxiety. Worry. Stress. The thing is . . . the "stuff" of life will happen, but if we become still and focus on God . . . we will, in time, experience the truth of what really matters in life.
We become still to know God by stopping everything else, which is the idea of Sabbath: On the seventh day, some of the people went out to gather anyway but they didn't find anything. God said to Moses, "How long are you going to disobey my commands and not follow my instructions? Don't you see that God has given you the Sabbath? So on the sixth day he gives you bread for two days. So, each of you, stay home. Don't leave home on the seventh day." (Exodus 16: 27-29, The Message).
The people did not see the gift of Sabbath, but rather inconvenience and the discomfort of moving outside of their self-absorbed realm. We hold that very thing in common with the Exodus people. It is difficult to move away from our "stuff" to become still. And, yet, it is when we become still that we can get outside of ourselves and cast our "stuff" on Christ. Peter wrote it much more succinctly: Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. (I Peter 5:7)
In the original Greek, Peter wrote the word, cast, as a-once-and-for-all-action. So, we cast all it, all the worry, anxiety, and stress, off of ourselves each time, refusing it to have a grip on us: "God I cast ALL this worry . . . anxiety . . . and stress on You."
Take a break from the "stuff." Be still. Completely cast your anxiety, worry, and stress . . . throw it all to God.
Each time you have a worried, anxious, or stressful thought or feeling . . . be still . . . cast it all on Christ . . . all of it.
Live in the peace and wonder of God rather than in worry, anxiety, and stress.
Learning to KickStart the day casting anxiety, worry, and stress,
Kerrie
(written by Kerrie L. Palmer © 2010 All Rights Reserved)