Casting all your cares on Him; for He careth for you. 1 Peter 5:7

While reading through 1 Peter recently, the word “for” in this verse hit me in a new way.

Yes, it means that God both cares about us and takes care of us, but it also means that God does our caring on our behalf. Just as I wouldn’t try to pay for my sins (side note: that would be a failed endeavor) when Jesus has already paid, why would I take on worry?

I picture my kids trying to “help” carry heavy things. They can’t do it, the wear themselves out trying, and they just make it take longer! They don’t actually do anything to help move the burden. I wonder how many times God has looked at me and said, “This would be a lot easier for both of us if you’d just let go.”

Everything I am worrying about is already in God’s province. He is already carrying those burdens for me. There is no need for us both to carry the worries; He is the only one that can do anything about them–and He is already shouldering them on my behalf!

So, today, leaving my cares, my worries, my anxieties, and my burdens with God, I choose to embrace the joy and peace He offers me in their place.