Casting all your cares...

    Brandy was on her way to work one morning when a pickup truck driving at 60 miles an hour, ran a stop sign and slammed into her car. Her car ripped in half. She was ejected and thrown over 160 feet from her car and landed in a field. She was rushed to the hospital where it was discovered she had bruising at the base of her skull suggesting a skull fracture and possible brain bleed. Her family and friends kept praying. Her father became filled with a sense of peace. He felt as if God was telling him that He had it under control. 
    Two days later, miraculously, doctors could find no signs of skull or neck fractures. She had no brain or spinal chord injuries. Her leg and foot were badly injured and doctors considered amputation. However, they opted instead for surgical reconstruction. Although successful, Brandy was told that she would never be able to run again or wear high heels and she would walk with a limp. In spite of this discouraging news, Brandy chose to be thankful that she was even alive.
    Today, Brandy is married and has a son. She has also become a nurse at the same hospital where she received her care. As if that isn’t enough, she is now able to run, wear high heels and walk without a limp, defying the negative prognosis doctors had given her. She is grateful for God’s love and for the opportunity each day, to live to see another day.
    When faced with impossible situations, it can be easy to give in to discouragement and despair. Brandy experienced what she did, yet, her father experienced a peace from God that did not make sense to him. He just felt as if God was telling Him: “I got this.” This part of the testimony is what caught my attention because when tragedy strikes or negative situations present themselves, it can be difficult to feel anything but fear, discouragement, despair. Yet, in spite of what he was seeing in front of him, Brandy’s father became covered with a sense of peace. God was letting him know that He was taking care of this for him. I think that’s what God always wants us to know, that He is in control. The reality is, though, that negative feelings and emotions usually take precedence to the point where, sometimes, we may wonder if God is still there. 
    The nice thing is that, whether or not we can feel or sense His presence, He is right there. I recently experienced a frustrating situation, yet, I felt as if God was saying, “Give it to me.” Of course, I wanted to still try to handle it myself but all I was doing was frustrating myself even more. I finally just had to let it go, give it to God and let Him handle it. It’s usually a much more peaceful option, believe me. And yes, of course, God did work it out. 
    1 Peter 5:7 says, “Casting all your cares upon Him for He careth for you.” There’s something about reaching the point where you can’t do it anymore and you just have to hand it over to Him. I know that at that point Jesus is able to step in and do what we can’t do. I believe that’s what happened to Brandy’s father. When he submitted to that peace from God, God showed up and showed out in a powerful and mighty way. 
    No matter what impossible or discouraging situation you may be facing today, God is right there, waiting for you to trust Him. He has the final say, He knows what the final outcome will be. Trust that He has your best interest at heart. Trust that He will do what He knows is best for you. Trust that He will bring you safely through.
    If you have not accepted Jesus Christ into your life as your personal Lord and Saviour, I encourage you to do so today. Jesus specialises in taking care of His own. He will never leave you, never abandon you. He will always be there when you need Him.

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