Listen to my prayer, God.
Do not ignore my plea.
Hear my thoughts and concerns.
Speak now and answer me.
My thoughts are troubling.
I am feeling despair
At the enemy’s voice
And at the wicked’s stare.
For they bring down on me
Suffering and heartaches.
They seek to revile me
As anger overtakes.
My heart is in anguish.
Terrors of death assail.
Fear and shaking beset.
This horror will prevail.
Oh, that I had the wings,
The strong wings of a dove.
I would fly far away
And be at rest above.
Staying in the desert
To shelter I would run,
Far from the tempest storm,
Close to the brilliant sun.
But I call to my God
And the Lord will save me.
Evening, morning and noon,
He comes to set me free.
Cast your cares on the Lord
And He will sustain all.
He will never let go
Or let the righteous fall.
But You, O God, bring down
The wicked and corrupt.
Bloodthirsty men will die.
Their days will end abrupt.
But as for me, I trust In
You and You alone.
All fear has turned to peace.
Your care for me is known.
(Based on Psalm 55)
The next time you start to worry, ask yourself, “Is this a burden God wants me to bear? Or does He want me to let Him carry it? “Our Daily Bread” gives a great suggestion for casting your cares. Write out your worries and things you cannot control on a small piece of paper and place them on “God’s plate” on your bedside table. This simple practice doesn’t eliminate all stress, but seeing that plate will remind us that our concerns are on God’s plate, not ours. God is able to handle all we give Him. As God’s children we may choose to carry our cares or give them over to Him. Life’s journey is a lot easier if we learn to cast rather than carry.
