SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1333

“Cast Your Burden”

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. – 1 Peter 5:6-7

When you think of the word, ‘cast’ what comes to mind? A fisherman with net or rod and reel? A game of cornhole, gently casting small bean bags?

Let this Scripture about casting transform your mind’s image from something with strings attached or things gently tossed and retrieved to that of a ‘Get it gone, let it go forever and forget it’ kind of cast. Think of throwing a live hand grenade or that go long, Hail Mary kind of football pass.

Doug Flutie’s “Hail Mary” pass was a game winning, 48-yard touchdown pass that he threw as a desperate final play of the 1984 Orange Bowl. Babe Ruth’s most famous ‘Called Shot’ home run in the fifth inning of the 1932 World Series with two strikes on him scored two runs and ultimately secured the win.

Are you at the point of your final desperate play as Doug Flutie was? Do you have the confidence and faith in Jesus to look and point to Him, calling the shot, as it were, knowing that He will deliver?

Cast Your Sin – Repent and turn away from a life of sin. Like a hand grenade, by the Grace of God, admit your sin, cast it away, and flee immorality never to return to it.

Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out – Acts 3:19

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. – 1 John 1:9

He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. – Micah 7:19

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. – Galatians 5:1

Cast Your Guilt and Shame – The enemy is a tormentor. He seeks to steal, kill, and destroy our peace by reminding us of our past. He is a liar, telling us that we remain unforgiven, unworthy, and guilty. Go long and throw your guilt and shame to Jesus. He’s got this.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. – 1 John 1:9

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. – 2 Corinthians 5:17

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. – Romans 8:1

Cast Your Fears – We derive strength and courage from the Truth of the Word of God. We become weak and fears creep in when we fail to nourish our spirit by neglecting time in prayer and the reading of the Word. Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. – Matthew 4:4

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. – Isaiah 41:10

Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you. – Deuteronomy 31:6

I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. – Psalm 34:4

Cast Your Doubt – Like Babe Ruth, call the shot. Set your eyes on Jesus, pointing to Him in faith and confidence.

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. – Hebrews 11:1

For the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught. – Proverbs 3:26

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. – Romans 8:38-39

Cast Your Worries – We worry and are anxious about the things of this world largely due to our misplaced trust. We erroneously trust in our jobs, education, abilities, investments, and money. All these things are temporary, where moth and rust destroy or can be stolen. When we throw what makes us anxious away, our heart, and therefore, our treasure is in heaven and the peace of God will guard us.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:6-7

Therefore, I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. – Matthew 6:25,33

May you cast, throw, and give what burdens you ‘the heave ho’. Let Jesus free you from it. He is faithful to deliver you and separate you from it ‘as far as the east is from the west’ – Psalm 103:12.

Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved. – Psalm 55:22