Casting our cares upon Him

I've been feeling incredibly lonely and bitter lately, though I've been trying my best to hide it. Unfortunately, it has manifested itself in various ways, particularly in how I treat those closest to me and my overall attitude towards life.

Bitterness can unknowingly affect all aspects of our relationships, especially those with the people closest to us. As we strive to regain our peace and joy, we often find ourselves faced with frustration, heartbreak, and even depression. In such moments, it can be helpful to surrender everything to God. However, that's easier said than done, isn't it? What does it truly mean to hand it over to God?

These words are frequently heard within Christian circles, but I never fully grasped the significance of simply saying, "God, take it all." I didn't realize that this wouldn't guarantee that the same issues wouldn't resurface. In reality, doing so can either increase my frustration or make me feel like a hypocrite, continuously reviving the pain I had entrusted to God.

So, what does it actually mean to leave it to God? After all, the Scripture says, "Cast all your cares upon me, for I care for you" (1 Peter 5:7). Does it mean throwing my hands up in the air and leaving my troubles behind? Should I kneel down and pray, asking the Lord to take it away and never bring it back to haunt me? Well, it's not as straightforward as that, especially when I know that these problems persistently haunt me like a contagious disease.

No, simply saying those words won't magically make my problems disappear. Instead, true surrender to God happens when I've done everything in my power and followed His commands, words, and sought counsel from trusted individuals. It's when I've exhausted all avenues and no longer have control over the situation that I can fully surrender my concerns to the One who can make the impossible possible.