Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7, NIV

 

Before returning to work after the December holidays, anxiety overtook me. As I prepared for the week ahead, my mind raced through everything I would need to manage – my full-time job alongside the demands of being a wife and a mom. I found myself frantic about a year that had not yet begun.

 

On the first day back, I asked God to take the anxiety away. Instead, the Holy Spirit gently challenged my thinking. That same morning, a colleague opened our meeting with 1 Peter 5:6-7: “Humble yourselves ...”; “God’s mighty hand …”; “Cast all your anxiety on Him …”

 

The Holy Spirit convicted me to humble myself. I realised that anxiety often stems from believing I must do it all – while knowing deep down that I don’t have it all. We frantically do the math, and it still doesn’t add up. There isn’t enough time, energy, or resources to pour into our work, marriages, families, friendships, responsibilities, or needs to be met.

 

If we believe it is all up to us, where does that leave God? Is he not the Source – the Alpha and Omega, the One who supplies all our needs according to his riches in heaven? Or have we become so self-reliant that we leave God out of the running of our daily lives?

 

Scripture recounts many moments where there was an impossible need, yet Jesus required only one thing: humility enough to bring him the little. There was not enough wine, yet water became wine (John 2:1-11). There was not enough food, yet five loaves and two fish fed thousands (Matthew 14:13-21). The woman with the oil did not have enough – but when she obeyed with what she had, she could pour, and pour, and pour (2 Kings 4:2).

 

If you feel anxious today, perhaps it is time to look inward and ask whether fear comes from trying to meet a great need with very little strength of your own. Let us give God back his rightful place as Provider and Miracle Worker, and humble ourselves before the One who still multiplies.

 

Take your little to God – your “not enough” energy, finances, knowledge, connections, and resources. He delights in showing you what he can do.

 

Prayer:Heavenly Father, when anxiety and worry overtake me, remind me that you supply my every need. Help me remember the wonders you have performed, and comfort me with the truth that you are the same God who will do such a work in my life. Amen.