If you have listened to any of our podcasts, you have likely heard us use the phrase, “I can’t care about that!”. There have been questions as to what that is all about, so I thought I would just write about it.
A few years ago, I was going through a ridiculously difficult season of life. I was really pressing in to Christ and digging in the Word. I was struggling, battling thoughts, clinging desperately to Truth in order to keep from being dragged back into the pit of depression, or more accurately throwing myself back into it. During that season of battle, a lot of learning took place.
I was poring over the Word for Scripture that addressed thoughts, grief and loss. I was seeking God’s comfort and care. A very familiar passage came up in my spirit and I began to really meditate on it. Each time I would be tempted to worry, doubt, fear or catastrophize – basically torment myself with my own thoughts – I would think about this passage, and specifically verse 7.
1 Peter 5:6-11, “So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith.” Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.” In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. All power to him forever! Amen.” (NLT)
There’s a lot of goodness to get from this short passage, but let’s tune in to where I tuned in when I first began to realize that as Christians we need to think differently about “cares”. Verse 7 admonishes us to, “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” The King James translation says it stronger by saying to “cast” our cares on Him. Every translation I checked said “all” in relation to the cares and worries – ALL of them!
After really chewing on this, and praying about it, I came to the conclusion that one of the strongest, most mature spiritual positions, in circumstances that might cause us to worry, is – “I don’t care!”. That doesn’t mean I am unconcerned with others or important things in life, but I am not supposed to hold on to care or worries. God will carry the weight of them all, if I will give Him all.
Dana and I were discussing this idea one day, and the phrase “I can’t care about that!” emerged from the conversation. When I feel the need to incessantly think on a care, I have to remind myself that, “I can’t care about that!” Saying it brings me back to the Word and to a place where I’m trusting God instead of carrying all the care myself.
Next time you are feeling stressed, worried or overwhelmed about things you can’t control, remind yourself that you can’t care about that!
***STAY TUNED!*** Soon we will be doing a podcast to further explore this topic!