1 Peter 5:6-7 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

It’s interesting how little differences in translation can really change the impact of what we read. The Bilingual Bible I’ve been using for the past few years has the ESV for the English, (even thought I use the NIV for posting the blog) and that combines these two verses into one sentence, making a connection I have been aware of but don’t think about very often. There really is a strong connection between pride and anxiety, because anxiety means we feel we need to be in control, when that is foolish by definition. As Jesus pointed out, worrying won’t extend our lives by even one hour. (Matthew 6:27) In fact, modern studies show that anxiety can actively shorten our lives! We need to be humble to trust God fully, and the more we trust Him, the more peace and joy we have. Anxiety proves we feel we need to be in control, and displays a lack of faith and trust in God. We are by nature a bit anxious. Ignoring the dangers in life can get us into real trouble! However, for every danger we recognize, we need to have the assurance that God is bigger and stronger, however great that danger might be. The traditional translation of verse 7, “Cast all your cares on him, for he cares for you,” is a little confusing, because of the dual meanings of “care.” Modern translations rightly replace the first “care” with “anxiety.” The Japanese characters with which the second “care” is written are very interesting. They are literally, “distribute the heart.” God invests His heart in us! When we understand that, anxiety is out of the question!

It’s been quite a few years now since God told me personally to rest, relax, and rejoice in Him. That’s really what this is all about. I’ve had more than enough pride, and I’m sick of it! I know that I am absolutely insignificant compared to God, but God, for reasons beyond human explanation, loves and uses me. He doesn’t use me in some dismissive way, like you might use a tissue to blow your nose. Rather, He uses me because He wants me to participate in what He is doing, and that is a privilege beyond words. One of my goals as a pastor is to help each believer understand that God wants to use them, too. Being made in God’s image (Genesis 1:27) includes doing what He does, but I can never do that in my own strength. I need to be humble enough to grasp that I can do nothing on my own, (John 15:5) and at the same time have enough faith to trust that God can do anything at all through me. As I grow spiritually, I stay at that point more consistently, and it is a huge blessing indeed.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for loving me so much You not only saved me from eternal destruction, You bring me through all my trials, even using me in the process, and will lift me before Your throne when my time here is done. May I be humble before You indeed, refusing all temptations to grab control, but trusting You enough to hear You accurately and obediently, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!