heavy rucksacks

The Scouts have a motto: “Be prepared.” It’s good advice! Sometimes though, we’re so prepared for all eventualities that we end up lugging round rucksacks and handbags and cars and cases, full of useful stuff we rarely need. And after a while that stuff gets heavy.

I think worry and anxiety can be a bit like that. We were once prepared for a situation that needed action, then that situation started adding worries and emotions to our rucksacks. Now everything is heavy.

Here’s what Peter says we should do...

“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

Humbling yourself might involve swallowing some pride and tackling a tricky situation head on. It could mean letting go of a thing, so that God’s mighty hand can take over. This is how to be lifted up: don’t be proud, let God embrace the humble.

Then, cast your anxiety His way. Give it all to Jesus knowing that He cares for you. Empty out that bag, that rucksack, that car: do a stock-take on what you need for the journey and what it’s time to let go of. I reckon that’s the best way to ‘be prepared’ for anything.