Lately this has been my go-to verse when something troubling wants to take my thoughts in a negative direction: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you (1 Peter 5:7). Isn’t that verse short and simple? Even if you tell me you can’t memorize Scripture, I expect if you said that verse three times a day, within a week (and probably less – you may even know it now without having tried to memorize it), you would know it by heart. 

From Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance that word “casting” literally means “to throw upon.” We are not to just haphazardly cast toward or gently fling our cares on the Lord, but we are to literally throw cares on Him. Have you thrown anything lately? When you do that, it is a purposeful act. For throwing to occur, you have to let go of the item you are throwing – let it go!

What are our cares? Again according to Strong’s they are our anxieties. Do we have anxieties? I expect we sure do! How many cares do we cast on Him? We cast all of them. Again Strong’s tells us how much all really is: “all, any, every, the whole.” How wonderful is that? 

Then our verse tells us why we can do that – because He cares for us. That word cares means: to be of interest to, i.e. to concern. My dear sisters, God loves us enough to care for us and want us to throw our anxieties on Him. He can deal well with them. We can’t. 

When you face an anxiety, you can do what 1 Peter 5:7 tells you to do – throw that anxiety (and every other one you have) on Christ. Throw it! In order to throw it, you have to let it go. While you are doing that, be grateful that God cares for you and wants you to cast your cares on Him. Don’t keep carrying them around when He gives you this beautiful directive. If the anxiety comes back, throw it out again. Do that over and over using this simple verse that is only eleven words long. 

We talked last month about God’s Word and its relevance to our daily lives:  “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). We may take a hermeneutics (the art and science of studying God’s Word with the goal of rightly interpreting it) class at church to learn how to rightly study and divide Scripture. We could be in a doctrine or theology class. Those are great, and I encourage you to do them, if you can. But in the end, it is what I do with God’s Word, in my heart and thoughts, with the situations I face on a daily basis, that matters. 

A couple of months ago we talked about this verse: “Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer (Romans 12:12).

Last month it was this one: “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:8). 

And now: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you (1 Peter 5:7).

Sisters, you need at least one, and better yet a few verses, that you have memorized that you can easily and quickly put into your mind when you are troubled, anxious, feeling self pity, upset, unhappy, frustrated – all of those negative thoughts and emotions you can experience. Then prayerfully, in those situations, do just that. Think that Scripture. Say it out loud, if need be. It isn’t hard, but it does take a conscious decision. The negative is in your mind by default. Scripture is there by choice.

I expect most of you reading this Mom’s Corner are familiar with the following verse and would say you believe it and that it is true in your life. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Yet I wonder how often we actually let Scripture fill our minds for “instruction in righteousness” rather than letting negative thoughts control us when we find ourselves in situations where we are fearful, worried, discouraged, worn out, or stressed out. 

As homeschooling moms your days are going to be filled with opportunities to grow in righteousness. May you seize them and turn what might discourage into steps of growth. 

Just One Example

There are many verses we could go to, but for an example, let’s look at this verse: “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:8). 

• able
• all grace
• abound
• alway
• all sufficiency
• all things
• abound
• every good work

Look at the amazing list of words in that verse that proclaim God’s ability and desire to grow us in lives that will bring Him glory. 

Paul’s Experience

Consider Paul, the man who wrote that verse, and what he lived through. “Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches” (2 Corinthians 11:24-28). Thankfully the challenges a homeschool mom faces don’t compare to what Paul faced with joy in Christ. 

How We Are Changed

Paul experienced all of those tribulations but was still able to tell us that God could make “all grace abound” toward us so that we have all we need to abound to every good work. Consider what that does for us when we move our thoughts from our troubles to 2 Corinthians 9:8, looking to Scripture for our instruction in righteousness. Now we worship God for His majesty and greatness in all He is able to do in us and through us. We have confidence that He is in charge of whatever we face. We know He will supply us with what we need to walk well through the trouble we are in the midst of or face. Our thoughts move from our fears and insufficiency to His grace and ability. Remember 2 Corinthians 9:8 is just one example of a verse, amidst many in Scripture, that we can utilize for our “instruction in righteousness.”

Our Choice

I know how easy it is to fall into thinking our own thoughts, stewing, worrying, and stressing. Even though the Lord taught me the path of taking thoughts captive (2 Corinthians 10:5) many years ago, when I struggled with depression, I can still find myself with these kinds of negative thoughts. But I can also tell you that joy comes when I take my thoughts captive and bring them into the obedience of Christ, through His Word. I sure prefer living that way.

Could I encourage you, when you find yourself filled with negative, troublesome thoughts to remember Scripture is given to you for “instruction in righteous.” Then put Scripture in your mind. That may mean you need to memorize some Scripture – like 2 Corinthians 9:8 –  so you can have it there and are able to keep using it if, and when, the wrong thoughts come back. 

It is a choice we each have probably many times a day. It is a part of Paul’s direction in 2 Corinthians 10:5 to take our thoughts captive. I think you can do it, and that you will have a quieter heart when you do.

“Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5).

Trials, tribulations, disappointments, and griefs are regularly part of our lives for one reason or another. We tend to struggle through them.  Scripture, however, gives much to help us as we deal with those on both an emotional and a spiritual level. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 is instrumental in that: “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.”

The focus of this verse is God. He is to be blessed for Who He is – the Father of mercies – and what He does – comforts. That certainly puts our focus where it should be, not on ourselves and our pain, but on the One we need in the midst of it. He is the One Who does what we cannot do – comfort ourselves.

That words comfort, comforteth, and comforted are similar Greek words (paraklēsis, parakaleō) to the Greek word for Holy Spirit (paraklētos) Who is according to Strong’s Expository Dictionary definition: ‘an intercessor, consoler: — advocate, comforter.’ In our sadnesses, hurts, and disappointment we crave comfort! God in His mercy provides that for us.

Have you noticed in yourself or someone else how God’s comfort can be rejected? We probably wouldn’t outright say that, but by our actions we appear to want to stay wrapped up in ourselves with our pain. We allow the hurts and grieving to consume us, focusing on our pain, rather than accepting God’s comfort. We might push back from the one offering us sympathy and love by saying,  “No one understands how I feel.” That person could be the very one whom God has comforted so they can comfort us. We won’t move our mind to God, His Word, and listening to Him but think instead, “I will never get over this.” We cry buckets of tears letting “Why did this happen to me?” run over and over in our minds. In each of those scenarios God wants to comfort through the truth of His Word and Spirit, but it is rejected.

2 Corinthians tells us there is more to God’s comfort than simply for our need and our good. He does it so we can comfort others who find themselves with the same tribulation we have gone through. I remember well the pain and heartache in my own heart when our first grandchild died, just three days after her birth. Even more than that, though, was the grief of our son and daughter-in-law in the loss of their first baby. Seventeen years later, their pain is still there, but we see the spiritual growth in their lives as they let God comfort them. In addition, they have been able to do just what this verse says will happen —comfort others with the comfort they received. They can do that because they walked in the shoes of the one they are comforting. They understand the depth of the loss and the intensity of the grief, like no one else can understand. They let God do what He wanted to do in their hearts, and now they are vessels He uses for comforting.

May I encourage to let God comfort you when you find yourself in a trial or tribulation. It might be the loss of a loved on, a health set back, a rebellious child, financial problems, relationship struggles, and so much more. Whatever it is, God says He comforts us in all our tribulation.

Trusting Jesus,
Teri Maxwell 

PS. Our news! (Steve here) Dear Mommies, hang in there. Bless you bless you for being a homeschooling mommie. I love this dear woman and can you believe we are celebrating God’s blessing of 50 years of marriage? She is a faithful woman, so very very precious to me. God is so good, always good always and worthy of our highest praise. So dear ladies stay the course. 

As I prayed and pondered about what I could share this month to encourage my sisters in Christ, this verse caught my attention during my morning Bible time. “Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer (Romans 12:12). That verse is short enough you could memorize it without much effort, if you don’t already know it. Now consider what it would do for your life if you kept it in your heart and chose to do exactly what it says.

Rejoicing in Hope

In Romans 12, Paul gives many instructions for life with Christ and what that looks like in the nitty, gritty of each day for a believer. In this particular verse, we are to do three things, starting with “rejoicing in hope.” We know what it looks and feels like to rejoice in something. We are happy and pleased about it, maybe even excited. The Greek word for “hope,” according to Strong’s Expository Dictionary, is used 48 times in the New Testament, and it means: “to anticipate, usually with pleasure; expectation (abstractly or concretely) or confidence: — faith, hope.” We are to rejoice in hope. Here it doesn’t tell us exactly what hope we rejoice in. From all the places hope is used in the New Testament, it has a broad range from the hope of salvation, our place in heaven, to the hope of change for a difficult situation. When our minds go to rejoicing in hope, we move away from fretting, worry, complaining, anger, disappointment, and a host of other negative thoughts and emotions.

Patient in Tribulation

If that wasn’t enough, next we are told to be patient in tribulation, and Paul knows real tribulation! No surprise in what those Greek words mean. Patient, again according to Strong’s Expository Dictionary, is: “to stay under (behind), i.e. remain; figuratively, to undergo, i.e. bear (trials), have fortitude, persevere: — abide, endure, (take) patient(-ly), suffer, tarry behind.” While tribulation is: pressure (literally or figuratively): — afflicted(-tion), anguish, burdened, persecution, tribulation, trouble.”

Here is our direction for those situations that are hard, the ones we consider tribulations. Stick the problem or trial out with a persevering attitude. That sounds pretty tough. We don’t see a place, for what our normal reactions would be such as escape, fear, or grumbling. Instead, we are to go through it with patience as described by that Greek word.

Instant in Prayer

Finally, we have “continuing instant in prayer.” Strong’s tells us that “continuing instant” means: “to be earnest towards, i.e. (to a thing) to persevere, be constantly diligent.” Earnest, persevere, and diligent give a vivid picture of putting forth effort, not something that simply happens. How often do you find yourself thinking about a situation in your life or a loved one’s life, only to have negative emotions arise? Could that be because you aren’t “continuing instant in prayer” but are allowing your mind to dwell on the troubling situation instead?

Living It Out

Have you memorized that verse? If you haven’t, what would stop you from it? Then once it is in your mind, I challenge you to keep using it throughout your day. Make sure that you are doing the things it suggests you do, earnestly and purposely. Take your biggest problem causing negative emotions and hold it up to a life lived with Romans 12:12 and see where following the instructions in that verse moves you. I think it will change your perspective, free you from discouragement, remove angry feelings, dismiss bitterness, help you to not worry, and give you a heart of joy. I love this verse, but I need the encouragement I am sharing with you in this Mom’s Corner as much as I think you might. May we be women who live Romans 12:12.

May I add a P.S. to really conclude this Mom’s Corner? After I wrote it, a couple of situations happened – small in the overall scheme of things – but enough that I started mulling on them, with negative emotions surfacing right alongside the thoughts. Almost immediately, I remembered the Mom’s Corner verse and wanted to do what it directed. Simple – yes! Hard – yes, because sometimes it is almost as if we would like to hold on to the negative emotions so we avoid what moves us away from them. Blessed – absolutely. Peace is a lovely way walk.

Steve and I are working at decluttering in our attic. In the course of that, I came across an envelope with personal Bible time journal pages from 30 years ago. At that time I was using a small 3 ring notebook for what I wrote regarding Bible time each day. Obviously I took the pages out when the binder was full and stored them in this envelope. On each journal page was the verse I picked and copied from my reading for the day and my thoughts concerning that verse.

Also at the top of each page, I had written out these four questions:

How is this to build faith?

How am I to trust God in this?

How can I see Christ in this?

What kind of character will it build?

I wrote those questions out each day because I wanted to learn them by heart. Then I desired to use them in situations in which I found myself, especially difficult situations, where I would struggle with a good attitude. Looking for the positive in the midst of a storm helps pull us through the gale. It gives purpose and meaning to something that otherwise seems futile and distressing. 

Think about each of these questions and how they would relate to turning your mind from thoughts that will keep you in anxiety or self pity to ones that set your mind on the One Who will carry you through the problem.

How is this to build faith? “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Hebrews 11:6). As we face trials, we want our faith to grow not be shipwrecked.

How am I to trust God in this? “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). We have so many promises in Scripture that we can turn to as we trust God in those times of hardship. 

How can I see Christ in this? “And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood” (Revelation 1:5). There are so many ways to do this from recalling how He interacted with people and dealt with difficult things when He walked the earth to the core of Who the God/Man is to Who He is in my life and much more. 

What kind of character will it build? “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing” (James 1:2-4). God wants to grow us through our tribulations.

Maybe these questions are ones you would like to learn and ask yourself as you face difficult tasks or situations. If so, start writing them at the top of your Bible journal page for the day and before long they will be memorized, or just memorize them. With the questions in your mind, go through each one when you face that trial. Even better would be to briefly write the situation out and the answer to each question in another journal. I didn’t do that, so 30 years later I can’t tell you the times I used those questions, the details of the struggle, nor my answers. I wish I had notebooks filled with all of that. I think that would have been an even greater discovery!