Casting Your Care -The Instruction We Often Quote—but Rarely Practise. Anxiety and Faith
- Olu Akinkunmi
- 18 hours ago
- 3 min read
“Casting all your care upon Him, because He cares for you.” — 1 Peter 5:7
This verse is familiar to many believers. It is comforting. It is encouraging. But the real question is, what does it actually look like to live this out?
Over time, it becomes clear that this is not just a verse to memorise—it is a discipline to practise.
To fully grasp what Peter is saying, it helps to look briefly at the original language.
“Casting” — epiriptō (ἐπιρίπτω)
This word means:
To throw upon
To place something decisively onto another
It carries the idea of deliberately transferring a burden. This is not passive.
This is not gradual. This is an intentional release
“Care” — merimna (μέριμνα)
This refers to:
Anxiety
Worry
A divided or distracted mind
It describes the inner tension many of us know well—when our thoughts are pulled in different directions.
“He cares” — melei (μέλει)
This means:
It matters to Him.
He is concerned about you.
Your situation is not insignificant to God. You are not overlooked. We are called to decisively entrust our anxieties to God because we matter deeply to Him.
What makes this verse (1 Peter 5:7) even more powerful is this, Peter lived it.
In Acts 12, we find Peter in prison. He was arrested by Herod,chained between two soldiers, guarded heavily and scheduled for execution. Days earlier, James—one of his closest companions—had been killed. Peter was not in denial. He knew exactly what was happening.
(Acts 12:6 | 1 Peter 5:7)
“Peter was sleeping…” — Acts 12:6. This is remarkable. Not pacing.Not panicking.Not negotiating. Sleeping!
Peter was not in control of the situation. But he was resting in the One who was. This is the essence of 1 Peter 5:7. Peace is not the absence of danger— it is trust in the One who governs the outcome.
Why Peter could rest in such crazy circumstances? He trusted God’s sovereignty. His life was not in Herod’s hands—but God’s. He trusted God’s timing. Jesus had already spoken about how Peter would die (John 21:18–19). This moment could not be the end. But even if it was, it was in God’s hands.
The disciples view of life and death had changed since they encountered the resurrected Christ. Peter had seen the resurrected Christ. Death was no longer ultimate.
In some circles, “casting your cares” has been misunderstood. It is not declaring outcomes, trying to control the future spiritually or pretending circumstances are not real. It is surrendering control, trusting God’s character and resting in His sovereignty.
This is not an isolated idea. Philippians 4:6–7 says, “Do not be anxious about anything…” Proverbs 3:5–6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart…”
Matthew 6:25–34 says, “Do not worry about your life…”
You might say, “But You Don’t Understand…” Your response is real—and Scripture acknowledges it.
“We do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathise…” — Hebrews 4:15
God knows we are fragile, emotional, and vulnerable. Scripture says,“We have this treasure in earthen vessels…” — 2 Corinthians 4:7. And yet, we are called to trust.
So, what does this look like in every day life. At work, do what is right—but don’t carry anxiety. Financial uncertainty, plan wisely—but trust God as provider. Conflict and opposition, stand firm—but refuse fear.
Your life is not in your employer’s hands. it is not in the system’s hands, or your circumstances. Your life is in God’s hands
Following Christ does not remove hardship. It changes how we walk through it. Difficulty does not mean God does not care. “Because He cares for you” remains true—even in suffering.
You cannot hold on to the burden and say you have cast it.Casting is release. Trust is rest.
If this post has blessed you, share it with others, and may the Good Lord richly bless you.
Pastor O
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