CONNECTING POINT: Cringeworthy Cliches

Who among us hasn’t thrown out a cliché or two? Merriam-Webster defines cliché as “a trite phrase or expression.” Some clichés are untimely, and others can be inappropriate for a situation. In Christian circles, clichés are common and, at times, can be misguided. Some include “Let go and let God,” “When God closes a door, He opens a window,” and one that I particularly refrain from using: “God will not give you more than you can handle.” In my opinion, the last phrase is far from the truth; life is filled with challenges or hardships. The Bible teaches us that we may encounter seemingly unbearable, but in those moments, we can continue to trust God. I would say, “God doesn’t fail,” but to some, that may sound a bit like a cliché, but within many of these phrases, there are elements of truth. God is faithful in the good times as well as the difficult times.

1 Peter 5:7 “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you,” seems so simplistic, some people may view this verse as another Christian cliché. As I mentioned in last week’s column, we are encouraged in Hebrews 12 to throw off any hindrance, including anxiety. For some who wrestle with significant anxiety, this weight is much more than a spiritual issue. Neuroscience, in recent years, has been unlocking some of the intricate dynamics related to anxiety disorders, many of which are tied to unbalanced levels of chemicals in the brain. One counselor in the neuroscience field says, “Sometimes we are praying for restored hearts when we should be praying for restored serotonin levels.” I concur with this sentiment. Indeed, the prayer of restored hearts is valid, but sometimes, our bodies exhibit physical deficiencies.

I use a helpful source in Bible study: http://www.bibleref.com, which is how the writer addresses “casting” our cares. “Peter writes that we should take that fear and cast it—throw it—onto our Father God. He tells us to take all our anxieties and everything that worries us and give it to the God who cares so deeply for us. This is not a promise that God will fix everything which worries us. God is not obligated to follow whatever script we write for Him. It’s a promise that the mighty God will receive our worries and care about them. He will carry them for us. He is trustworthy and handles them in the best way.”

This verse is applicable when we keep the context in mind: vs. 7 is a continuation of vs. 6, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you in due time.” The practice of “casting” is not like fishing, as we think, throwing out the line and reeling it back in. In Greek, “casting” refers to the transference of weight (anxiety) from us to God. Have you ever asked God to take something from you, only to run back to it repeatedly? Peter provides an important element to this casting practice; we start with humility before God. Anxiety issues in life are tied to people and situations we can’t control. The opposite of humility is pride, which means being self-centered. When was the last time you asked God for help and practiced turning over the matter to Him? Rather than offering God a list of infractions or complaints, maybe it would serve us better when anxiety arises to learn how to transfer what hinders us to Him.