Struggling with worry and anxiety? No matter what you’re struggling with, discover how to cast your cares on God.

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It’s easy to feel overwhelmed with worries, cares, and anxious thoughts, but you’re not meant to carry all those burdens on your own. Jesus said not to worry, and the apostle Paul said to cast all your cares on God.

What are you worried about?

What may be hindering you from trusting God with your worries, anxious thoughts, cares, and concerns?

What could your next step toward trusting God more and worrying less look like?

Reflect

• How does it feel knowing that God wants you to cast all your cares on Him as it says in 1 Peter 5:7 and that we’re to be anxious for nothing as you read in Philippians 4:6–7?
• How does Matthew 6:19–34 help you to not worry so much about tomorrow?
• How does the good soil Jesus mentioned in His parable found in Luke 8:4–18 differ from the other soil He mentioned?
• How can you stay focused on what matters most like Mary in Luke 10:38– 42 instead of being distracted by good things like Martha?
• How does Timothy’s genuine concern for the well-being of the Philippian church that the apostle Paul commended him for in Philippians 2:14–24 differ from unhealthy worry?

Respond

(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God)

“Dear God, thank You that I don’t have to be consumed with worry and anxious thoughts. Thank You that I can go to You with all my cares and concerns. Help me to keep trusting You no matter my circumstances.”

Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources

Mentioned in this episode:

• Resilient
• Bible Engagement and "The Power of 4": A Key to Spiritual Growth| Center for Bible Engagement| Our Daily Bread

Listen:

• Resilient
• Don’t Worry!

Read:

• The Resilient Life
• How Can We Put Our Worries to Work for Us?

Watch:

• Uncovering Resilient Faith with Lina AbuJamra (Unshakable Moxie)
• Worrying Steals Your Days - Luke 12:25

The apostle Paul often used the theme of running in his letters. Discover what he might have been trying to tell us through his running metaphor.

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The apostle Paul often used the metaphor of running a race to remind his readers, and us, how important it is to run our race well. In his letter to the Corinthian church, Paul encouraged believers to run away from sin and temptation and to run toward God.

What have you been running toward lately?

Is there something you need to flee from in your life so you can pursue God instead?

What could your next step of running toward God look like?

Reflect

• How can you run away from sin and temptation as the apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 6:18 and 1 Corinthians 10:14?
• What does it look like to “run in such a way” as it says in 1 Corinthians 9:24?
• According to 1 Corinthians 9:26–27, why is it important to be disciplined along your Christian journey?
• Based on 1 Corinthians 14:1, what are we to be running toward?

Respond

(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God)

“Dear God, thank You that You are with me as I run the race You have set before me. Help me to run away from sin and temptation and run to You with my whole heart. Thank You that Your Holy Spirit can empower me to run my race well.”

Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources

Mentioned in this episode:

• In Pursuit of Paul

Listen:

• Paul Through Mediterranean Eyes
• Paul, the Letter Writer | Week 1
• Paul, the Letter Writer | Week 2

Read:

• The More Excellent Way: What Paul Actually Means in 1 Corinthians 13
• Spiritual Disciplines | Running the Race

Watch:

• Why Do We Have to Struggle? | 1 Corinthians 10:13
• Cleansing the Body and Spirit – 2 Corinthians 7:1

In a sense, you could say that the entire Bible is about God’s desire to dwell with his people. Immanuel—God with us. Experiencing God’s presence is what we were created for. And we are promised in Scripture that if we seek God, we will find Him. But how do we experience the presence of God when we don’t see Him or feel like He’s with us? Well, in this series of conversations with Dr. David Mathewson, the Discover the Word group explores how experiencing God’s presence can be a regular practice and experience of God’s people. And time In His Presence can transform, heal, and empower us.

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From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible is the story of God dwelling with His people. We were created to commune with God, but it can be challenging since we can’t see or feel Him.

How can you experience God’s presence on a regular basis?

Is there something hindering you from spending time in God’s Word and in prayer and worship so you can experience His transforming, empowering, and healing presence and power in your life?

God longs to make His presence known to you.

What could your next step toward seeking God’s presence look like?

Reflect

• How does Genesis 1–2 reveal God’s desire from the very beginning to dwell among His people?
• According to Hebrews 4:11, why is spending time with God so important?
• How do you feel knowing that we have access to God the Father through His Son Jesus as it says in Hebrews10:19–22?
• What did the Bible figures mentioned throughout Hebrews 11 get commended for and how can that encourage you on your journey?
• What helped the psalmist in Psalm 73 go from despair to hope?
• Even now, how can you gaze upon God’s beauty as it says in Psalm 27:4?
• How does Revelation 4–5 fill you with hope for what awaits in heaven?

Respond

(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God)

“Dear God, thank You that You long to spend time with me. Thank You that I can feel Your presence even though I can’t see You. Help me as I seek to feel Your loving, healing, and empowering presence in my life. Thank You that in Your presence, there is fullness of joy!”

Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources

Mentioned in this episode:

• 30 Days in God's Presence by Dr. David Mathewson from Denver Seminary and Jennifer J Fitzgerald

Listen:

• What Is Faith?
• Does Sabbath Still Matter?

Read:

• In His Presence
• The Promise of Presence - John 14:15–17, 25–31

Watch:

• Hebrews 11:1 - Biblical Faith
• Revelation 4:8 | Holy, Holy, Holy