“Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.”
1 Peter 5:7 (AMPC)
God doesn’t want us to have cares, anxieties, worries, or concerns. Not a single one.
“Casting our care” means to throw off our care, and the quicker we throw it off, the better. It’s like playing the game of “hot potato,” acting as if the object is hot and passing it to the next person the instant it comes into our hands.
The moment worries and concerns come to us is the same moment we can get rid of them. It’s not a good idea to make friends with our worries or coddle them like a pet. Googling and asking everyone’s advice is also not recommended. The longer we focus on our concerns, the more likely they will become a stronghold in our lives.
At times, getting rid of our cares can seem almost impossible until we read the last part of the verse. “…For He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.” When we believe our Father cares for us, we won’t have a care in the world. He is well able to take care of us.
I love how the Message version says it.
“Live carefree before God; he is most careful with you.”
God is our Father, Provider, and Care-taker. We can live carefree in our Father’s love.