Trading our cares for his peace … not a bad exchange!

I really feel good today—as if I didn’t have a care in the world.

Ever met somebody that didn’t have a care in the world?

There is a smile on their face. There is no anxiety obvious in their emotions. They’re not fidgety. You know they are financially well off. Their family seems grounded and functioning well. They have a late model car … good retirement provision … and a midas touch to everything they come in contact with.

No wonder they haven’t a care in the world.

Are you kidding me?

Nobody moves through life without a single care. Behind the smile may lurk a gnawing fear. There may be less of the ‘perfect family’ than anyone is aware of. That late model car is actually producing anxiety with a payment putting their finances in jeopardy. And the retirement account? Inflation steals from it regularly. It’s far less secure than touted.

The reality is that nobody who is sane can go through life without some concerns. Jesus listed some of the legitimate things that can cause irritation, instability and anxious thoughts. Included are: “What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?” (Matthew 6:31)

Who among us doesn’t ponder these issues? They are integral to life … the answers to these questions affect all parts of our lives. And if we do distance ourselves from them, temporarily putting them out of our minds, there’s always advertising to bring them front and center again.

A part of every believer’s life is dealing with cares, handling concerns, knowing what to do with the burdens they bring. We’re not asked to ignore the obvious. Putting our heads in the sand is not the correct option.

But after Jesus reminds us of things we could be concerned about he cautions, “So don’t worry about these things. These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.” (verse 32)

The antidote to worrying is not more stuff but the realization that “your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.” God’s part is to know and meet our needs. Our part?

“Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.”

I Peter 5:7 New Living Translation 

That’s the person who doesn’t have a care in the world!