One of the most startling and challenging commandments of Jesus is this: do not worry.
You may not even have noticed those three little words take the form of a command, or considered worry a “sin” to confess or avoid. But with this simple directive, “Do not worry about your life …” (Matt. 6:25, NIV) Jesus calls us to trust him, and to let go of having to control the outcome of every situation. When we do that, we will have joy, even in challenging circumstances. To do so requires a certain emotional detachment, a conscious letting go of needing to control the outcome of every situation.
It’s not that we don’t care; we do. But we cast our cares on him, let go of trying to control things that are truly beyond our control. Many of us are professional worriers. In fact, even our prayers are shaped mostly by worry. We get on our knees not to commune with God but to handle damage control for him, to alert him to what’s going on in this crazy world and to suggest solutions.
Trust is a choice, the alternative to worry. Other people may misinterpret our trust as carelessness or irresponsibility. But really, we are simply turning over our lives, one moment at a time, to God’s excellent and dependable provision. Trust is a spiritual practice that transforms us, that helps us obey the command against worrying.
Unlike other practices, such as prayer, study, solitude, and so forth, the practice of trust is not something we can schedule. We kind of have to wait for situations that would cause us to worry or fear, and in the midst of that situation, choose to believe that we are safe in the arms of God. We have to sail along and wait for a rogue wave or a sudden wind shift, and trust we will not capsize. We must be attentive to see the opportunity in a moment of struggle.
To choose to trust does not mean we don’t care, but that we place our cares in the hands of one who cares for us.
In my book, Deeper into the Word, I wrote:
In English, the word “care” has two nearly opposite meanings. If someone cares, they are interested and concerned. If someone has a care, they perhaps have an anxiety or worry. Having someone care for us can alleviate our cares.
Likewise, in New Testament Greek, there are different meanings, but in some cases, several different words to signify those meanings. Merimna (and the verb form merimnao) means anxiety, or to have a care (this word is translated worry in Matthew 6:25). … Epimeleomai means to take care of, to provide for. It is used both in Luke 10 to describe the Good Samaritan’s care for the wounded man, and in 1 Timothy 3:5 to describe the role of a bishop or overseer of the church—perhaps, some scholars suggest, alluding to a parallel between these two roles.
… 1 Peter 5:7 exhorts believers to give our anxiety over to the care of Jesus: “casting all your care (merimna) upon him, for he cares (melei) for you” (NKJV). It’s an interesting play on words—we can release our cares (our anxiety, worries) to Jesus because of his care (his deep concern and loving provision) for us. This word care, when it refers to God, reminds us of his amazing love for us.
Jesus noted in Matthew 13:22 that the “cares (merimna) of this world” can choke out our spiritual growth. When life throws us challenging circumstances, we have a choice to make: will we worry or trust? Will we believe God is in control or expect the worst? This is the only place we have the opportunity to engage in the practice of trust—in the trenches of difficult circumstances.
Do you engage in the spiritual practice of trust? What will it take for you to embrace the truth that Jesus cares for you, deeply, and that you can entrust him with all your cares?
Through her writing and speaking, Keri Wyatt Kent helps people to connect authentically with God and to be spiritually transformed. She is a sought-after speaker and author of eight books, including Deeper Into the Word: Reflections on 100 New Testament Words (Bethany House, 2011). Learn more about her ministry or get in touch with her at keriwyattkent.com or facebook.com/keriwyattkent.
© 2011, Keri Wyatt Kent
