Shifting Focus

"Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you." - 1 Peter 5:7 
  
In his letter to the early church, Peter spoke to believers who were struggling with deep anxiety about their future. They were living in a time of trial and persecution, dealing with trauma on many levels—social, economic, physical, and emotional.  

Peter knew their faith was being tested, and the weight of their circumstances had left them grieved and anxious. They were unsure if they could survive as a community or if they would be crushed by their adversaries. Maybe you’ve felt that same pressure, where the stress and uncertainty of life leave you overwhelmed, wondering how you’ll make it through.
 
Peter’s message offers hope and guidance to those who feel trapped by anxiety. He reminds us that anxiety is often rooted in trauma, in events that have happened to us. Whether it’s fear, sadness, or worry, these emotions aren’t negative in themselves. They are natural responses to the trials we’ve endured, signals that something inside needs attention and care.  

Unfortunately, many of us carry guilt or shame for feeling this way, believing that our anxiety reflects a lack of faith. But just as Peter’s audience was anxious due to their past suffering, our emotions are often tied to the hardships we’ve experienced.
 
Take the example of someone who has a debilitating fear of dogs after being bitten as a child. The fear isn’t something inherently wrong with them, it’s a response to the trauma they’ve gone through. Likewise, anxiety isn’t a sign that you’re weak or faithless; it’s an indication that you’ve faced something hard, and now you’re left processing it.

Peter’s advice in 1 Peter 5:7 is simple: cast your anxieties on God because He cares for you. Shifting your focus from the source of your fear to the One who cares for you is the first step in managing anxiety. Rather than letting worry consume you, turn your heart and mind toward God. He doesn’t want you to carry those burdens alone.  

In the same way Peter's audience was reassured that God had not forgotten them in their suffering, you too can rest in the fact that God sees your struggles and invites you to release them into His hands. You don’t have to hold onto the weight of tomorrow’s worries. Shift your focus and place your trust in the God who loves you and is more than capable of carrying your burdens.