In my new Daily Guide and Journal called “Standing for My Marriage” I outline the top 9 emotions that those standing for the healing of a hurting marriage deal with during their stand; those being worry, anger, stress, hurt, fear, depression, obsession, control and giving up.

That last emotion, giving up, can also be categorized as hopelessness, a devastating feeling when all seems lost, it seems that God is nowhere to be found and you are alone in bearing the weight of your situation on your shoulders. It’s a tough place to be, and one I know very well. Absolutely turning your situation over to God, allowing Him (even when He can seem so silent) to be in control though things seem so out of control is one of the most incredible gifts He gives to His people: the right to cast those problems, worries and difficulties on Him. What other god gives that grace…that luxury? What human creation offers such peace in the middle of such a difficult storm? None that I can count on, that’s for sure.

I can, however, count on God. Not always can I count on Him to do things how I want them done, because I simply can’t see the whole picture. But I can count on Him to bear the pain with me, to walk beside me, though silent much of the time, loving me, guiding me, gently prodding me toward His will and giving me a place to cast my cares when they are too much for me to handle.

Take a moment to reflect on 1 Peter 5:7

Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.

Reading it with conviction, with power, with affection and with love, our Mighty God, full of the problems of the world, full of the wars, the bickering, the horrific dissension among His own people gives a simple yet absolutely freeing sentence to His followers: give Me your anxiety; give Me your worry.

Wow.

This week, worry will find a way to creep in. This week, anxiety will try and convince you that all is lost, that hopelessness is your life and that God is not there listening to you.

Peter believed otherwise.

So do I.

What about you? It’s a choice, you know. You can hang on to the burden. You can hang on to the worry and the fear. But why would you when you can give it to One who actually knows how it ends and gives us the freedom to smile and be joyful through it.

Will is give it to Him this week? You will be blessed to feel the relief of that burden. He cares for you.

Seth

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