Who cares? ∙∙

Who cares? ∙∙

Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. – 1 Peter 5:7

Hebrews 2:16-18

 16 We also know that the Son did not come to help angels; he came to help the descendants of Abraham.

 17 Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people.

 18 Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing; he is able to help us when we are being tested.

“The greatest disease in the West today is not TB or leprosy; it is being unwanted, unloved, and uncared for” (Mother Teresa).

At some point in life, so many have felt unloved and isolated. The anguish of being unwanted and solitary can become truly overwhelming. Some nights can be unbearable. These are seasons of introspection where we wonder what went wrong. What led us to this point? So often, we discover that the solitary circumstances we find ourselves in result from our own unwise, even foolish decisions.

“The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing . . . not healing, not curing . . . that is a friend who cares. ‘No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.’” (Henri Nouwen).

It is common for people to feel all alone during difficult and tragic times. It seems as though the Father is far away. We are left asking, does anyone really care and understand?

While our sense of loneliness and isolation is real and vivid, it is only an illusion for every child of the King. The Father never moves away from us. He is ever-present.

Hebrews 13:5-6

 5 For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.”

 6 So we can say with confidence, “The LORD is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?”

If that is the case, why do we often feel differently? Our perception is significantly shaped by our individual histories and the discouragement, detachment, and even betrayal we have endured in the past. Because people have distanced themselves from us, we fear the Father might also distance Himself. Consequently, disappointment sneaks in like a thief, robbing us of joy, peace, and self-assurance.

It is easy and quite natural to doubt our faith. It takes effort, practice, and determination to doubt our doubts and believe our beliefs.

Psalms 62:8-12

 8 O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge.

 9 Common people are as worthless as a puff of wind, and the powerful are not what they appear to be. If you weigh them on the scales, together they are lighter than a breath of air.

 10 If your wealth increases, don’t make it the center of your life.

 11 God has spoken plainly, and I have heard it many times: Power, O God, belongs to you;

 12 unfailing love, O Lord, is yours.

By immersing ourselves in the word of God, reading it, comprehending its message, internalizing it, meditating on it, and treasuring it within our hearts, we create a whole new mindset and develop a new approach to handling challenging circumstances.

Psalms 119:11 Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You.

The truth of the word of God is the Father’s ultimate tool which He has provided for the children of the King to cope with the vicissitudes of life. During challenging moments, the memorized and internalized truths become a source of steadfast and self-assured self-talk. David provides a perfect illustration of this. The profound truths David internalized through his relationship with the Father provided the basis for the magnificent self-talk handed down to us in Psalm 23.

The Scriptures contain wonderful precious promises that sustain us through all life events (2 Peter 1:4).

Psalms 27:10 When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.

Psalms 55:22 Give your burdens to the LORD, and he will take care of you.

REFLECT & PRAY

The eternal God is your refuge, and his everlasting arms are under you. – Deuteronomy 33:27

Father I am grateful for Your loving care and Your desire for me to bring all my worries and concerns to You. Even amidst life’s darkest shadows, Your Word is a perfect light, illuminating my thoughts, prayers, and actions, guiding me along the way. Thank You for being my source of comfort and guidance.

INSIGHT

How do we know the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ care for us? It was their eternal plan that the Lord Jesus Christ would suffer greater than we have! He experienced trials very much like our own. He is acquainted with grief. He was a man of sorrows. The Lord Jesus Christ has successfully navigated the same kind of physical, emotional, and mental difficulties, disappointments, and trials that are part of everyday life. His suffering and testing were far worse than anything we ever face, making Him a compassionate and empathetic companion in our struggles.

Hebrews 2:18 He himself has gone through suffering and testing; he is able to help us when we are being tested.

Hebrews 4:15-16

 15 This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.

 16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

“Every soul is as fully known to Jesus as if he were the only one for whom the Savior died. The distress of everyone touches His heart. The cry for aid reaches His ear. He came to draw all men unto Himself. He bids them, ‘Follow Me,’ and His Spirit moves upon their hearts to draw them to come to Him. Many refuse to be drawn. Jesus knows who they are. He also knows those who gladly hear His call and are ready to come under His pastoral care. He says, ‘My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.’ He cares for each one as if there were not another on the face of the earth” (The Desire of Ages).

Farmers Insurance television commercials conclude with the memorable line, “We know a thing or two because we’ve seen a thing or two.” Similarly, the Lord Jesus Christ chose to become fully human, enabling Him to understand every aspect of the struggles people face experientially. This makes Him the ideal, compassionate, and understanding High Priest that ordinary individuals require. His perfect empathy and care make Him uniquely suited to relate to our challenges and offer the support we need. He knows a thing or two because He’s seen a thing or two.

Therefore, the apostle Peter encourages us to share and release our worries and cares to Him. He longs to carry our burdens. He encourages us to take His yoke upon us and let Him teach us (1 Peter 5:7, Matthew 11:29).

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 5-24-1

Who cares? ∙∙

Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. – 1 Peter 5:7

Hebrews 2:16-18

 16 We also know that the Son did not come to help angels; he came to help the descendants of Abraham.

 17 Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people.

 18 Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing; he is able to help us when we are being tested.

“The greatest disease in the West today is not TB or leprosy; it is being unwanted, unloved, and uncared for” (Mother Teresa).

At some point in life, so many have felt unloved and isolated. The anguish of being unwanted and solitary can become truly overwhelming. Some nights can be unbearable. These are seasons of introspection where we wonder what went wrong. What led us to this point? So often, we discover that the solitary circumstances we find ourselves in result from our own unwise, even foolish decisions.

“The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing . . . not healing, not curing . . . that is a friend who cares. ‘No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.’” (Henri Nouwen).

It is common for people to feel all alone during difficult and tragic times. It seems as though the Father is far away. We are left asking, does anyone really care and understand?

While our sense of loneliness and isolation is real and vivid, it is only an illusion for every child of the King. The Father never moves away from us. He is ever-present.

Hebrews 13:5-6

 5 For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.”

 6 So we can say with confidence, “The LORD is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?”

If that is the case, why do we often feel differently? Our perception is significantly shaped by our individual histories and the discouragement, detachment, and even betrayal we have endured in the past. Because people have distanced themselves from us, we fear the Father might also distance Himself. Consequently, disappointment sneaks in like a thief, robbing us of joy, peace, and self-assurance.

It is easy and quite natural to doubt our faith. It takes effort, practice, and determination to doubt our doubts and believe our beliefs.

Psalms 62:8-12

 8 O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge.

 9 Common people are as worthless as a puff of wind, and the powerful are not what they appear to be. If you weigh them on the scales, together they are lighter than a breath of air.

 10 If your wealth increases, don’t make it the center of your life.

 11 God has spoken plainly, and I have heard it many times: Power, O God, belongs to you;

 12 unfailing love, O Lord, is yours.

By immersing ourselves in the word of God, reading it, comprehending its message, internalizing it, meditating on it, and treasuring it within our hearts, we create a whole new mindset and develop a new approach to handling challenging circumstances.

Psalms 119:11 Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You.

The truth of the word of God is the Father’s ultimate tool which He has provided for the children of the King to cope with the vicissitudes of life. During challenging moments, the memorized and internalized truths become a source of steadfast and self-assured self-talk. David provides a perfect illustration of this. The profound truths David internalized through his relationship with the Father provided the basis for the magnificent self-talk handed down to us in Psalm 23.

The Scriptures contain wonderful precious promises that sustain us through all life events (2 Peter 1:4).

Psalms 27:10 When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.

Psalms 55:22 Give your burdens to the LORD, and he will take care of you.

REFLECT & PRAY

The eternal God is your refuge, and his everlasting arms are under you. – Deuteronomy 33:27

Father I am grateful for Your loving care and Your desire for me to bring all my worries and concerns to You. Even amidst life’s darkest shadows, Your Word is a perfect light, illuminating my thoughts, prayers, and actions, guiding me along the way. Thank You for being my source of comfort and guidance.

INSIGHT

How do we know the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ care for us? It was their eternal plan that the Lord Jesus Christ would suffer greater than we have! He experienced trials very much like our own. He is acquainted with grief. He was a man of sorrows. The Lord Jesus Christ has successfully navigated the same kind of physical, emotional, and mental difficulties, disappointments, and trials that are part of everyday life. His suffering and testing were far worse than anything we ever face, making Him a compassionate and empathetic companion in our struggles.

Hebrews 2:18 He himself has gone through suffering and testing; he is able to help us when we are being tested.

Hebrews 4:15-16

 15 This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.

 16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

“Every soul is as fully known to Jesus as if he were the only one for whom the Savior died. The distress of everyone touches His heart. The cry for aid reaches His ear. He came to draw all men unto Himself. He bids them, ‘Follow Me,’ and His Spirit moves upon their hearts to draw them to come to Him. Many refuse to be drawn. Jesus knows who they are. He also knows those who gladly hear His call and are ready to come under His pastoral care. He says, ‘My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.’ He cares for each one as if there were not another on the face of the earth” (The Desire of Ages).

Farmers Insurance television commercials conclude with the memorable line, “We know a thing or two because we’ve seen a thing or two.” Similarly, the Lord Jesus Christ chose to become fully human, enabling Him to understand every aspect of the struggles people face experientially. This makes Him the ideal, compassionate, and understanding High Priest that ordinary individuals require. His perfect empathy and care make Him uniquely suited to relate to our challenges and offer the support we need. He knows a thing or two because He’s seen a thing or two.

Therefore, the apostle Peter encourages us to share and release our worries and cares to Him. He longs to carry our burdens. He encourages us to take His yoke upon us and let Him teach us (1 Peter 5:7, Matthew 11:29).

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 5-24-1