What does it mean to cast all your anxiety on Him (1 Peter 5:7)?

From the desk of Dr. Robert L. Taylor, Th.D., Bible Expositor & Teacher. Recently, I was part of a conversation with two other believers. The topic revolved around the tens of thousands of people being fired from their government jobs. One of the believers was a federal worker who was being adversely affected by this action. In trying to encourage this person, the other believer said, “Just cast that anxiety on the Lord!” The one being affected by the firings responded, “How do I do that?” And then there was silence! Let’s examine what Peter is teaching. We read, “casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). These words completes a thought which began in the previous verses. We read, “You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time” (1 Peter 5:5-6). In other words, Peter is instructing us to humble ourselves in light of who God is. He is God, and we are not. For humans, the choice to be humble is not something that comes naturally from within us. We must put it on like clothing! Part of humbling ourselves includes “casting all anxiety upon Him.” We often overestimate our ability and underestimate our inability. God’s natural response to proud humans is to oppose them, just as His natural response to humble humans is to give them grace. To “cast” literally means to “throw.” We should not hold onto our cares. Instead, we should throw them to our Father God who cares for us. These verses do not promise that God will remove the source of our anxiety—although He certainly can and often has (see Mark 4:39). Instead, the assurance is finding calm and rest for our souls! The assurance is based on who He is. We can come to Him with any of our concerns in prayer, and, while the burden may still exist, our souls will find rest as we trust in Him to help us carry it and to sustain us through the trial. Be encouraged!