Many quote verse 7 by itself. However, it is directly connected to verse 6. That doesn’t mean that it can’t stand alone, but let’s also acknowledge the original intent of the author in connecting it with verse 6.

This world runs on money and whether we would like to admit it or not, we all strive each day to obtain money to survive.

We also strive to obtain position. Whether that position is in politics, our community, our family or even a better position at work.

Our competitive nature strives against the Christian ideology that we should take the humble place.

I once applied for a job as a manager in my department. There had been other applicants for the job, including one or more of my coworkers. I gave my best answers to the interview questions and deep down I wanted the job. When I didn’t get the position and one of my coworkers was given the job as my new supervisor, I was happy for him. I wasn’t disappointed that I didn’t get the job, because I trusted God and knew that He had something better in store for me. After a little while, I had several increases in salary relatively close together and realized I was much happier letting someone else run the department than myself.

Humbling ourselves before God doesn’t mean that you don’t take opportunities to advance your career or that you stay quiet in the corner when you need to be bold and speak up.

There are times when you must step out and stand up for what you want in life or it will pass you by. Sometimes God brings those opportunities back around to you for a second chance and sometimes those opportunities may never come again. It takes prayer and discernment to know if we should act or wait.

Growing up, my parents tried to teach me humbleness. I was always told to let others go first and always let others get what they want first.

Looking back, I realize that the only time I took risks was when God granted me the strength to do so, but I also became an indecisive person.

I became more comfortable being a follower than a leader. Later in life, as I’ve worked to succeed in business, I find that I’m having to learn to be humble while also being confident and steadfast in my decisions.

“Casting” is a term fisherman know well.

You literally are “throwing” your fishing line or net into the water.

As the term is used in this scripture it can also mean to “throw something down to the ground.”

When we “cast all our care upon” Jesus, we are putting our anxious cares as far away from us as possible. We are not only letting them go, we are throwing them away with all of our strength.

This isn’t referring to only casual cares, but also cares that we are anxiously worried about.

We can become anxiously concerned about advancement, even in ministry.

When we humble ourselves before God, we acknowledge that He will advance us in due time as we put His will first in our lives.

We cast our cares on Him because He cares for us. God cares about us and doesn’t want us to be burdened with anxious thoughts that can do nothing to change outcomes of situations.

Are you casting your cares on Jesus or are you still trying to figure out your own solutions to situations that only God can solve?