How to cast away your cares

Dear Lord,

Today has been really stressful. I’m reminded on Peter’s advice to the church in 1 Peter 5:7:

“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”

I’m looking up the meanings in this verse, and with your help, I want to really “cast my anxiety on you.” I’m not being critical, but this sounds way easier than it it.

Here’s what I found out (which you already know):

The idea of “cast,” which is epiriptō in Greek, means  “to throw out, throw on, throw down.” In other words, chuck it! Heave it far from you. Lord, I think you’re serious about this casting thing.

Then Peter uses 2 different words for “care” in this little verse: merimna, melei.

The first (a noun) means “anxiety; distraction, cares, anxiety pertaining to earthly things”; the second (a verb) means “to care about, have regard for.”

So here’s my prayer–my deep soul-hungering prayer that is desperate to feel peace:

Lord God, I don’t want to carry this anymore! I’m heaving all my stress, worry, earthly distractions, and fears far from me–over the cliff, into on-coming traffic, out to sea. Whatever the metaphor. I don’t want them. 

I can live without anxiety. I can. So why do I hang on to worry instead of flinging it far from me? I don’t need to worry because you care so much about me. You have my life figured out. 
You have regard for me; it matters to you what happens to me. 

Of course it does. That’s why you died for me. That’s why you placed me in a beautiful world. That’s why you want me to pray. 

You love me.

How can I worry? I will praise your name. Lord, I worship and exalt you!
What can man do to me?

In Jesus’ name, Amen.