July 18
ALL YOUR ANXIETY
Words and Music by Edward Henry Joy, 1871–1941
Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. (1 Peter 5:14)
Upon the Lord your burden cast,
To Him bring all your care;
He will sustain and hold you fast,
And give thee strength to bear.
—Unknown
Worry, anxiety, and depression have been the subjects of many discourses. The reason, of course, is that these conditions are so common to everyone. Many descriptions of these times have been given:
Worry is nothing more than borrowed trouble.
—Unknown
Worry is unbelief in disguise.
—Unknown
Worry does not relieve tomorrow of its stress—it merely empties today of its strength.
—Unknown
The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith, and the beginning of true faith is the end of anxiety.
—George Mueller
Depression is the Devil’s tool in thwarting the joy of believers and in immobilizing them in the Lord’s service.
—Unknown
You cannot read the book of Psalms without sensing the deep cloud of emotional gloom experienced at times even by King David, this man after God’s own heart. “Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me?” (Psalm 43:5). But David also knew the right answer for these dark times. First, he honestly admitted his feelings to God. Second, he re-established his confidence in God. Third, he determined to praise Him—“I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.” This three-stage antidote for despair is still the cure for our emotional anxieties today.
Is there a heart o’er-bound by sorrow? Is there a life weighed down by care? Come to the cross—each burden bearing, all your anxiety—leave it there.
No other friend so keen to help you, no other friend so quick to hear; no other place to leave your burden, no other one to hear your prayer.
Come then at once—delay no longer! Heed His entreaty kind and sweet; you need not fear a disappointment—You shall find peace at the mercy seat.
Chorus: All your anxiety, all your care, bring to the mercy seat—leave it there; never a burden He cannot bear, never a friend like Jesus!
For Today: Psalm 27:5; 37:5; 55:22; 91:1; 138:7; Luke 21:34; 2 Corinthians 1:9, 10; Philippians 4:6
When anxious moments come your way, remember to do what King David did. When we thank and praise God in everything, anxieties must cease.
Kenneth W. Osbeck, Amazing Grace: 366 Inspiring Hymn Stories for Daily Devotions (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 1996). 217.
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