Casting myself on him~

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

1 Peter 5:7

I was raised to believe that you finish your work before you play.  I still believe in this particular philosophy.  That's why, when the weekend comes, I do my house work before I venture out to the movies or the mall. 

However, it doesn't work when it comes to managing stress or worry.  My instinct tells me that I can let go of anxiety when I've solved the problem.  Pretty silly since, usually, anxiety is the result of a problem not easily solved.  For instance, when I leave work, I cannot leave my worries at the door because my brain keeps reminding me that I haven't earned my rest until I've completed my responsibilities.  It doesn't help that I work in a position which requires around the clock availability seven days a week.  Nor that the measure of success in this job is the bent toward being a workaholic. 

I'm in a season in my life where many lessons are well-learned and thank the Lord for it!  No desire to turn back the clock for this girl.  I know how to manage my money, keep my home and nurture healthy relationships.  Now there are new lessons to be learned and I'm starting to suspect that the tutorial won't be over until heaven.  The current subject matter, stress management.  And the current problem, resting in the Lord and not on my laurels. 

It takes no faith to work and wrestle with problems and then, when they are "fixed," to take a break.  However, it takes tremendous trust in God to put boundaries on our efforts and then to stop for a time of refreshing while He takes the wheel.  It's not true that when we step away the worries of our minds are being ignored.  I am getting the idea that instead, the Lord needs me to get out of His way sometimes so that the behind the scenes miracles can unfold!  While I am resting in Him and forgetting the concerns of the day, He has total control.  He doesn't have to rein in my sloppy attempts to fix things and can completely work in spiritual places unhindered by my imperfect flesh.  And as He moves heaven and earth to tend to my chore list, the Holy Spirit is moving too, tending to my soul. 

Don't throw away the blessing of quiet and rest.  Nor that of fun and leisure.  God works within these as powerfully as in toil and sweat.  Cast your cares on Him.