Our bent as humans, Christian and non-Christians alike, is to worry, to fret, to be agitated, even fearful when confront- ed with something concerning.
Everybody is at least tempted to worry at times. This was true even of Christ’s disciples (hence John MacArthur’s reference to them as Twelve Ordinary Men in his wonderful biography bearing that same title) for we see Jesus addressing this inclination during the Last Supper.
Addressing the Eleven (Judas had already departed) in John 14:1, Jesus says, “Do not let your hearts be troubled…”
Later, in verse 27, Jesus repeats these words beginning with, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
This is where my seminary training still comes in handy! Fact is, a good translation or study Bible works nearly as well. Here’s what I mean: When Jesus says “Do not let your hearts be troubled…” He’s issuing an imperative (command), in the present tense, passive voice — hence the Amplified Bible’s rendering as,
“Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed.” In other words agitation and fretting is something we permit.
Likewise, when Jesus says “…do not be afraid” we again have an imperative in the present tense — but this time Jesus speaks in the active voice, hence the Amplified’s translation as, “Do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.”
Now, Jesus says to take charge over worry, fear, fret, and the like.
Perhaps Peter had this very incident in mind when he later penned the words, “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you” (I Peter 5:7). Like the grammar in John 14:27, the word “cast” is quite significant: it is a once-and-for all act; it’s something we choose to do and then leave it with God period!
So, simply put, when we’re up against something concerning, unsettling, unnerving, intimidating, etc. we must choose to avail ourselves to our Lord’s fabulous provision: give it to Him — and leave it there! When tempted to pick it back up we need to remind ourselves (and Satan!) that we have given this to Jesus; it’s in His powerful hands; He will take care of it — period.