Digging Deeper ~ 1 Peter 5:7,8a

·      Step 1: Write out the verse:

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

Be self-controlled and alert.

·      Step 2: Look up the verse in other translations and make note of the differences.

Cast all your anxiety (cares –NET) on him because he cares for you. (Give all your worries and cares to God – NLT)

Be self-controlled (Be sober, be vigilant – NKJV) (Be of sober spirit – NASB) and alert (be watchful – ESV)

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. Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind). Be vigilant and cautious at all times; – AMP

·      Step 3: Cross Reference the verse or specific words in the passage.

Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall. – Psalm 55:22

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. – Galatians 5:22,23a

·      Step 4: Look key words up in the concordance or dictionary to gain a better understanding of the word.

Anxiety – (n) distress or uneasiness of mind caused by fear of danger, misfortune, failure; earnest but tense desire; eagerness; synonym – fear, foreboding, worry, disquiet, apprehension

Self-controlled – (n) the ability to exercise restraint or control over one’s feelings, emotions, reactions; synonym – self-discipline, self-restraint, willpower, levelheadedness

Alert – (adj) fully aware and attentive; wide – awake; keen (n) an attitude of vigilance, readiness, or caution, as before an expected attack

Sober – (adj) not intoxicated or drunk, habitually temperate; not given to excessive indulgence in drink or any other activity; free from exaggeration or speculation

Vigilant – (adj) keenly watchful to detect danger; wary, ever awake and alert

·      Step 5: Rewrite the verse in your own words and ask questions God brings to mind or write notes on what He has revealed during the study.

When I am anxious, worried, or fearful give those concerns over to God because He cares for me. Do I try to handle all my concerns myself? When I am worried or anxious do I focus on my problems or do I trust God with them? As I am trying to live a healthier lifestyle do I lean on God’s strength? Do I ask for His help or try to do it myself?

Be self-controlled, alert and watchful for things that will trip me up. Do I rely on my own will power or do I trust God to give me the strength I need? Am I vigilant to watch for the ways the devil will try to sabotage the work God is doing in my life?

Lord help us rely on you. Give us your strength to make the changes we need to make. Help us cast all the cares and worries we have on you. Give us the will power we need to make the choices that honor you. Help us be vigilant to watch for areas satan will try to pull us away from you. Protect us with your armor. In Your Name I Pray, Amen.

In His Calm,