When Worry Comes: Cast Your Burden Upon the Lord

Some realities in this world can naturally cause fear and anxiety when we are not certain about our families, finances, health, safety, or the future. Yet Scripture teaches us that worry must not be allowed to become the master of the mind. Our security is not found in knowing everything that will happen, but in knowing that Jesus is our strong tower and our intercessor.

God gives this assurance:

“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” — Isaiah 41:10 (KJV)

The answer to worry is not pretending that trouble does not exist. It is placing all of my trouble into God's hands. “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you” (1 Peter 5:7). Again, David writes, “Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee” (Psalm 55:22). God does not ask us to carry the load of tomorrow today. He asks us to trust Him today.

Jesus offers something the world cannot provide: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you” (John 14:27). Christ's peace surpasses all understanding. His peace does not depend upon peaceful circumstances. Even when we see danger around us, we can still possess peace within because Jesus Christ is our defense, our protection, and our strength. Therefore He says, “Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

Ellen G. White warned of the danger of allowing distrust of God to produce continual fear: “They distrust God and have a thousand fears regarding the future.” She explains that the Israelites “borrowed trouble for the future” and let “imaginary want” keep them from seeing God's goodness and mercies (Mind, Character, and Personality). This is a serious lesson for us: fear can make us live tomorrow's troubles before they arrive, and it can lead us to sickness and discouragement. However, Faith remembers how God has provided for us in the past and trusts Him with what has not yet happened.

Country Living and the Time of Trouble

As we prepare for country living and the approaching time of trouble, practical preparation has its place, and fear must never become the foundation of our preparation. We should prepare wisely and swiftly, work diligently, and use the means God has entrusted to us. Still, our confidence cannot ultimately rest in acreage, stored food, water systems, finances, or isolation from danger. If we carry a spirit of fear into the country, changing our location will not give us peace. The preparation we need most is to learn now to trust God when circumstances are uncertain. We must learn how to live off less and eat more simply. The same God who sustained Israel in the wilderness sustains His faithful people still today. Our greatest preparation is a settled faith that can say, even when earthly supports fail, “The LORD is my helper, and I will not fear” (Hebrews 13:6).

When worry comes, pray instead of rehearsing the fear. Cast your cares upon the Lord instead of carrying them yourself. Trust God instead of borrowing tomorrow's trouble. We do not know everything the future holds every split second, but we know who holds us in the future. Christ has promised, “I will help thee.” That promise is sufficient for today.