“casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7 ESV).
In his second letter to the Thessalonian church, Paul the Apostle sought to respond to those who had misapplied certain aspects of his teachings. 2 Thessalonians 2:1-2 offers one such example…
“Now regarding the arrival of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to be with him, we ask you, brothers and sisters, not to be easily shaken from your composure or disturbed by any kind of spirit or message or letter allegedly from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord is already here” (2 Thessalonians 2:1-2 NET).
So it appears that certain members of the Thessalonian church were troubled about the subject of Jesus’ return. That state of apprehension apparently stemmed from various sources that were less than trustworthy. Because of this, it might be said that the Thessalonians had fallen into a state of anxiety because they shifted their focus from someone (that being Jesus), to something (the topic of His return in this instance).
In a similar manner, that passage also draws a parallel to a famous event from the Apostle Peter’s life. That event took place when Jesus approached His disciples while walking upon the surface of the water. When Peter left the safety of his boat to accompany Jesus, he reached a point where he began to sink. So just as Peter started to fall beneath the waves when he took his focus off Jesus, these portions of Scripture remind us that it is easy to fall into a state of anxiety if we don’t stay focused on Christ.
In addition to what we read here in 1 Peter 5:7, God’s Word offers several other verses to remember whenever we face those circumstances that might promote a sense of anxiety…
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28 NIV).
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7).
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27 NIV).
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 NIV).
These passages should thus lead us to an important conclusion: “God is not indifferent about His people’s misfortunes. In the present, He will bear the anxiety; in the future, He will abundantly recompense.” (1)
(1) New International Bible Commentary general editor G. C. D. Howley, consulting editors F. F. Bruce, H. L. Ellison. Copyright© 1979 by Pickering & Inglis Ltd [p. 1562].