When I think of casting, I picture something like sowing seeds, or feeding chickens. Mind you, I haven’t ever done these things, but I have seen them on TV. Indeed the word casting here is talking about throwing something (like a blanket) on to something or someone. Like throwing a blanket over a horse’s head so the horse can’t see what’s coming, (I’ve also seen that on TV.) or throwing a covering over plants to protect them from frost. (I have actually done that one, but it is not nearly as exciting.)
Peter is telling us, as believers who are submitting themselves to God’s authority and care, to throw our anxieties (things we are concerned about, things we are scared about, things we are overwhelmed by, things that make us feel sad and helpless) on the Lord. This verse is like something David had written much earlier. (Psalm 55:22) Sound advice from someone who had endured immense anxiety. Not many of us have been hunted to be killed. Not many of us have slain giants against the approval of their family members or established a kingdom by ridding out all of the current inhabitants of the area. Likewise with Peter, none of us have been asked to start THE Church against total political and religious opposition. We may have started a church, a study, a friendship for the purpose of sharing Christ but we will not face what Peter faced.
All of that said, this is trustworthy advice. I know from my own life, worrying and dwelling on troubles has never helped anything, in fact quite the opposite is true. (Matthew 6:27)
The question that remains; will we put this godly advice into practice? Maybe you’re like me and can say, “yes,” knowing full well that dwelling on my troubles and worries isn’t good on any level. Oh yes, I want to give it all to God, but I keep taking it back. The casting isn’t the hard part, is it? I like the word “throwing” because it intentionally sends our troubles further away!
Isn’t it interesting that Peter follows this verse (1 Peter 5:8) with “be alert and sober”. If you’ve lived long enough for one reason or another, you’ve probably experienced what it’s like to be under some other influence. I remember years ago hallucinating from the influence of a high fever. I also remember going to the dentist and being under the influence of “laughing gas” as a young teen. (Which I really hated!) Sometimes our influence is the emotions that I’ve heard described as “taking over”.
The opposite of allowing something to take over is to “be alert and sober”. It takes an act of our will. Something we have determined we are going to do. Why do we need to be alert and sober? Because 1 Peter 5:9 reminds us that we, like David, like Peter, also have an enemy. He is a spiritual enemy who wants the very opposite of what God wants for us.
As I sum this up, the “how” we are able to cast our anxiety on Him has everything to do with our willful decision to be alert (aware) of our enemy. He is trying to add to and keep us in our anxious state! Be sober, willfully not allowing our emotions or any other influence to keep us under an outside influence. Is it easy or is it just going to happen automatically because I want it to? No neither of those. But just like casting a fishing lure might be tricky or not very effective the first time we try, it gets better with practice. God does not tell us that the casting must be done one and only one time, He just says, “cast.”
Practice willfully, soberly, mindfully, casting and trusting that the Almighty will take care of you, and just see if your anxious thoughts don’t fade away.