May is already upon us. I want to encourage you to focus on the promise of God in the midst of challenging social and economic times. With the nations unemployment numbers at a staggering all time high, the housing market crash, gasoline prices and the cost of living on the rise, the vast majority of Americans are stressed out and worried. For those who believe God and His Word, we can rest assured. He will take care of us because He cares for us. 1 Peter 5:7 declares, “Casting all your care upon Him; for He cares for you.” The New Living bible declares, “Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you.” The Amplified Bible declares, “Casting the whole of your care (all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all) on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.” It is evident from the Word that God will take care of His own. He does not want us to be troubled or worried about anything. He is capable of taking care of His own and loves to do so.
America Is Stressed Out
When we observe people each day, the battle with stress and fear over the challenges of life isn’t far. A recent survey of the top eight things that Americans are worried about revealed the following:
1. Covid-19, Mask Mandate and Goverment Manditory Shutdowns
2. Out of control deficits
3. Terrorism
4. The health care system
5. Unemployment
6. Inflation
7. Emerging radical nations seeking nuclear power
8. Racial Tension
9. The future of America and the present presidential administration.
Statistics also reveal forty million Americans suffer from anxiety and panic disorder. Anxiety disorder costs us more than forty-two billion dollars a year, 1/3 of the one hundred and forty-eight billion mental health bill. 6.8 million Americans struggle with anxiety disorder. 2.2 million with obsessive compulsive disorder. 6 million with panic disorder. 7.7 million with post traumatic stress disorder and another 19 million with phobia disorder.
America is stressed! Webster’s defines care as: a state of mind in which one is troubled; worried; filled with anxiety or concern; being filled with negative emotions. Thank God we can do as the Scripture declares, “Cast all our care on Him; because He cares for us!”
God Listens and Answers our Prayers
Personal prayer requests according to His Word work. 1 John 5:14-15 (Amplified), “And this is the confidence (the assurance, the privilege of boldness) which we have in Him; (we are sure) that if we ask anything (make any request) according to His will (in agreement with His own plan), He listens to and hear us, and if (since) we (positively) know that He listens to whatever we ask, we also know (settled and absolute knowledge) that we have (granted us as present possessions) the request we have made.” What amazing assurance the Scripture gives to us. God hears all of our request and provides whatever we ask for in line with His will.
Complete Trust in Him
Determine to completely trust Him. God is aware of all of your needs. He is also able to supply every need you have according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. He loves you so much and is ready to carry out His promise on your behalf. Proverbs 3:5 (Msg) declares, “Trust God from the bottom of your heart; do not try to figure out everything on you own.” When we trust God, we don’t have to figure it all out; we simply believe and watch Him bring it to pass!