It Starts Small

---

⁷ casting all your cares on him, because he cares about you.
1 Peter 5:7

²² Cast your burden on the Lord,
and he will sustain you;
he will never allow the righteous to be shaken.
Psalm 55:22

---

Anxiety often stems from the relentless struggle to bear the heavy weight of the world alone. We find ourselves entangled in worries about our future, our cherished loved ones, our jobs, and an overwhelming myriad of concerns. Yet, Peter passionately calls us to cast ALL our cares upon God, for He deeply cares for us. This verse powerfully beckons us to release our burdens, placing our trust in the One who is infinitely capable and profoundly loving.

In Psalms, we encounter a glorious invitation that stirs the soul. This powerful verse passionately reassures us that when we entrust our worries to God, He doesn’t just take them away; He envelops us in His sustaining embrace. We are promised an unwavering stability and relentless support, a rock-solid foundation that remains unshaken amidst life’s tumultuous uncertainties.

By clinging to our anxieties, we unknowingly convince ourselves that we must bear every burden alone. This way of thinking is not only exhausting but can also leave us feeling defeated. Instead, we are invited to surrender our worries and trust in God’s loving care and abundant provision. What heavy burdens are you holding onto today? Take a heartfelt moment to identify them and consciously lay them before God in prayer, releasing them into His loving hands.

Reflection:

Consider the transformative steps you can take to passionately cast your cares upon God. Is it through fervent prayer, heartfelt journaling, or confiding in a trusted mentor? Reflect on the profound peace that washes over you, knowing that God cares for you deeply and is unwaveringly ready to sustain you. Let today be the moment you courageously begin to release your burdens and wholeheartedly embrace the exhilarating freedom found in trusting God’s infinite love and care.

Deeper Reflection #1: 1 Peter 5:7

Since 1 Peter 5:7 is all about “casting” your cares, these prompts focus on the physical and emotional act of letting go:

• The “Heavy Pack” Inventory: If your anxiety was a physical weight you were carrying in a backpack, what specific items (worries) would be inside it right now? Write them out in detail.
• Defining “Cares”: The verse says He cares for you, not just your problems. How does it change your perspective to think that God is concerned with your well-being, rather than just the “solution” to your stress?
• The Grip Test: Think of one situation you are currently trying to control. What does your “grip” on that situation feel like (tight, exhausted, frantic)? What would “casting” it look like in practical steps today?
• Past Deliverance: Write about a time a major worry didn’t turn out as badly as you feared, or a time you felt sustained through a crisis. How does that evidence help you trust the “He cares for you” part of the verse today?
• The Exchange: If you successfully “cast” your anxiety away, what positive emotion or fruit (peace, focus, joy) would you want to fill that empty space?

Deeper Reflection #2: Psalm 55:22

Psalm 55:22 is a powerful companion to 1 Peter 5:7, stating: “Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.”

Here are journal prompts focused on the stability and support promised in this verse:

• Defining “Sustain”: To sustain means to provide what is needed to keep going. Looking at your current anxiety, what do you actually need to get through the next hour or day (e.g., patience, a clear mind, physical rest)? Ask for that specifically.
• The “Unshakable” Foundation: Anxiety makes everything feel like shifting sand. What are three things in your life—truths, relationships, or promises—that remain true regardless of how anxious you feel?
• The Physical Transfer: Imagine you are holding your heaviest worry in your hands. Write about the physical sensation of placing it on the Lord’s shoulders. How does your own posture change when you aren’t the one bracing for the impact?
• “Never Let You Fall”: Think of a time you felt like you were at your breaking point but somehow stayed standing. What “sustained” you then? How can that memory help you trust this promise now?
• The Weight Exchange: If you stop using your energy to “hold yourself together” and let God sustain you instead, what would you do with that reclaimed energy today?

---

© Kimberlee Smith 2026 http://www.itstartssmall.com All rights reserved.