“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” —1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)
Has anyone ever told you to “pray more and worry less?” What about “if you just trusted God more or had enough faith, you wouldn’t be anxious?” Stings, doesn’t it? Sadly, Christians, even if they mean well, use Scripture to hurt instead of heal. Not only that, but they take key scriptures about anxiety, depression, and other mental health struggles out of context all the time.
In 1 Peter, we’re told to cast all of our anxiety on the Lord because He cares about us. I don’t know about you, but this verse reminds me that we’re called to do this because the Lord cares about us. He’s not saying these words in condemnation or with flying shooting arrows of shame from Heaven. No, He’s offering His peace and love as a caring and faithful Father would. What if we learned to see this verse not as condemnation of anxiety, but as an invitation to come to Him with those anxieties exposed bare? What if we say it not as a harsh command, but as a gentle source of comfort.
If you struggle with anxiety and depression, I want you to know that you’re not alone. I want to reaffirm that having these conditions doesn’t make you less of a Christian, rather they make you human. People are going to disagree with this and hurt you. But what matters is what Christ says about the matter. Having anxiety, depression, PTSD, OCD, you name it doesn’t mean you lack faith, it means you’re human. And sometimes we forget that.
Struggles on this earth are part of living in a fallen world. John 16:33 says it this way: “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (NIV). Those struggles include physical and mental sufferings, relational and emotional, too. Our challenges aren’t unknown or a surprise to God. But with Him, we can overcome hard things.
Even if Jesus doesn’t completely eradicate our sufferings this side of Heaven, we have a place to look forward to where sorrow and pain will no longer exist. I don’t get to say why Jesus heals some now and chooses to wait till later for others, but what I do know is that He’s good and He knows best. He cares about your anxiety and depression and doesn’t think ill of you. Rather, He’s a loving Father inviting you to come as you are. Because you’re loved. And you always will be.
Question for Reflection:
Do you struggle with mental health? Have you ever been ridiculed because of it? Take time to journal your thoughts and feelings as you pour out your heart before the Lord. Ask Him to silence the lies and open your eyes to see what Scripture really says about those who suffer. Commit to memorizing 1 Peter 5:7 and recite it when you’re feeling on edge or down.
Agape, Amber
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