Let Go of Your Fears and Anxiety: Cast Every Burden Upon the Lord
By Pastor Joel – Open Heaven Christian Church – Fisher, Arkansas
“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” — 1 Peter 5:7 (KJV)
Introduction
Fear and anxiety have become common companions for many people. Some worry about their health, finances, family, the future, or circumstances beyond their control. Others carry hidden burdens that no one else can see. These fears often rob us of our peace, our joy, our sleep, and even our confidence in God’s promises.
Yet the Word of God offers a better way.
The Lord never intended for His children to carry life’s burdens alone. He lovingly invites us to place every care, every fear, every worry, and every anxiety into His mighty hands. When we do, He exchanges our fear for His peace, our weakness for His strength, and our burdens for His rest.
God does not simply tell us not to worry—He tells us where to take our worries.
The Father wants his children to give all of their cares to Jesus in prayer because He cares for you!
God Cares Deeply for You
One of the greatest truths found in Scripture is that God genuinely cares about every detail of your life.
1 Peter 5:6-7 (KJV)
“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”
Notice the order.
First comes humility.
Humility acknowledges that we cannot carry life’s burdens in our own strength. Pride often says, “I can handle this myself.” Faith says, “Lord, I need You.”
The Greek word translated “casting” literally means to throw upon, to place entirely upon another.
God is inviting you to throw every burden upon Him because He is able to carry what you cannot.
Jesus Invites the Weary to Come
Our Lord never intended His followers to live under crushing pressure.
Matthew 11:28-30 (KJV)
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Notice Jesus says:
Come.
He does not say:
“Figure it out first.”
“Become stronger.”
“Fix your problems.”
He simply says:
Come.
The rest Christ offers is not merely physical—it is rest for the soul.
Anxiety Cannot Change Tomorrow
Many people spend enormous emotional energy worrying about things that never happen.
Jesus addressed this directly.
Matthew 6:25-34 (KJV)
“Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”
Jesus points us away from worry and toward trust.
If God feeds the birds and clothes the flowers, how much more will He care for His own children?
Prayer Is God’s Answer to Anxiety
Instead of allowing anxiety to consume us, Scripture teaches us to pray.
Philippians 4:6-7 (KJV)
“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Notice what Paul says.
Do not be anxious.
Pray.
Thank God.
Present every request.
Then something supernatural happens.
God’s peace guards your heart and your mind.
His peace does not always remove the storm immediately—but it steadies your heart while you walk through it.
Fear Leaves When God’s Presence Fills the Heart
David knew what it was like to be hunted, rejected, and surrounded by enemies.
Yet he discovered where peace is found.
Psalm 34:4 (KJV)
“I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.”
Notice that David was delivered from his fears—not merely from his circumstances.
God often changes our hearts before He changes our situations.
Biblical Examples of Trusting God
David Facing Goliath
Everyone else saw a giant.
David saw a faithful God.
1 Samuel 17:45 (KJV)
“Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.”
David’s confidence was not in himself.
His confidence was in God.
Faith sees God’s greatness instead of magnifying the size of the problem.
Jehoshaphat Surrounded by Enemies
Three armies came against Judah.
The king admitted his weakness before God.
2 Chronicles 20:12 (KJV)
“O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee.”
What honesty!
“We don’t know what to do.”
“But our eyes are upon You.”
God fought the battle for them.
Sometimes faith simply means keeping your eyes fixed upon the Lord.
Peter Walking on the Water
Peter walked by faith until he focused on the wind instead of Jesus.
Matthew 14:29-31 (KJV)
“And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him…”
Fear grows when we focus on the storm.
Faith grows when we focus on Christ.
Daniel in the Lions’ Den
Daniel remained faithful despite the danger.
God shut the mouths of the lions because Daniel trusted Him.
His circumstances were terrifying.
His faith was greater.
God’s Promises for Those Who Trust Him
Isaiah 41:10 (KJV)
“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”
What wonderful promises!
I am with thee.
I am thy God.
I will strengthen thee.
I will help thee.
I will uphold thee.
God does not merely give commands.
He gives Himself.
Psalm 55:22 (KJV)
“Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.”
God does not promise that life will always be easy.
He promises that He will sustain you.
Isaiah 26:3 (KJV)
“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.”
Perfect peace comes from a mind fixed upon God rather than consumed by fear.
How to Cast Your Burdens Upon the Lord
When fear begins to rise:
Stop and acknowledge your anxiety before God.
Pray honestly and specifically.
Thank Him for His faithfulness.
Surrender what you cannot control.
Replace fearful thoughts with God’s promises.
Continue trusting Him even before you see the answer.
Praise Him because He is worthy, regardless of your circumstances.
Every burden surrendered is one less burden you carry.
The Lord Will Lift You Up
God never ignores a humble heart that cries out to Him.
Sometimes He changes our circumstances.
Sometimes He changes us.
But He always hears those who call upon Him.
His timing is perfect.
His love never fails.
His strength never runs out.
When we cast our burdens upon Him, He lifts us above the crushing weight of fear and teaches us to walk by faith instead of by sight.
Conclusion
No burden is too heavy for the Lord.
No fear is too great.
No anxiety is too deep.
The same God who parted the Red Sea, shut the mouths of lions, defeated Goliath, calmed the storm, and raised Jesus Christ from the dead is the same God who invites you today to trust Him completely.
Lay your burdens at the feet of Jesus.
Leave them there.
Believe His promises.
Walk by faith.
For He has promised:
Psalm 46:1 (KJV)
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
And remember the comforting words of the Lord Jesus:
John 14:27 (KJV)
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
May your heart rest in the faithful hands of the One who cares for you more deeply than you can ever imagine. Cast every care upon Him today, trust in His unfailing love, and allow His peace to guard your heart and mind through Christ Jesus.
