“A heart at peace gives life to the body” (Proverbs 14:30)
Yet how often do people live their whole lives without peace, and if we do find peace, how often do we allow it to be stolen by worry, concern, striving, stress and negative thinking?
It’s a trap that many of us fall into, and it’s usually because we allow ourselves to be convinced that things are going to turn out badly or that we are less than who God says we are.
To counteract that, I’ve learnt the importance of rolling my cares over to God and celebrating who He has made me to be. It's also important to listen to what Jesus says about our circumstances, who we are, and His wisdom and advice are essential to living at peace and carefree.
Jesus said, “I am leaving you with a gift–peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” (John 14:27).
The Care Bucket
In our house, we use what I call a ‘care bucket to help us roll our cares over. It's where we offload to Jesus all the worries, cares, disappointments, and hurts that happen as part of living life. The “care bucket" comes out regularly, and sometimes, it’s not a bucket but one of that industrial roadside “skip bins” that is required, but that’s okay because it’s better to offload our cares than to let them fester in our hearts and minds.
God asks us to cast our burdens on Him because he knows how toxic cares and worries can become. He wants us to live in peace and know His joy even in the midst of challenges.
As we cast our cares and burdens an exchange happens. We roll over our concerns and allow His peace to fill our hearts instead. Then, as we take hold of God’s promises for our life and accept who He says we are, wrong thinking, negativity, and fears fall away, and we are transformed and renewed according to what He says about our lives. As a result, this restores and gives life to our whole body, which is a great way to live. (Romans 12:2)
“Casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully].” (1 Peter 5:7 AMP)
“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” (Proverbs 17:22)
Today I encourage you to use the “care bucket" and roll over your cares on to Jesus. He loves and cares for you and wants to carry your load, so you don’t have to. Exchange your cares for his peace as you listen and accept what He says about your life and circumstances, and you'll soon learn how to live carefree.
“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians1:6)
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2)
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV)
Prayer: Lord, I give you all my cares today and ask for your peace to fill my heart. Please help me to let go and give over to you any thoughts, attitudes and concerns that would try to steal my peace today. In Jesus name Amen.