George Burns, an American actor and humorist, said, "If you ask, 'What is the single most important key to longevity?' I would have to say it is avoiding worry, stress, and tension. And if you didn't ask me, I'd still have to say it". Burns, who lived to be 100, enjoyed making people laugh and apparently followed his own advice.
But how can we keep from worrying when our lives are so uncertain, so filled with problems and needs? The apostle Peter offered this encouragement to the followers of Jesus who had been forcibly scattered across Asia during the first century: "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you" (1 Pet. 5:6-7).
Peter's instructions were not given to help us avoid suffering (v. 9), but so we can find peace and power to stand victorious against the attacks of Satan (vv. 8-10). Instead of being consumed by anxiety and worry, we are set free to enjoy God's love for us and express it to each other. Our goal should not be to see how many years we can live but instead to live fully in loving service to the Lord for all the years we are given. God is our Father, we will never think of anything that He will forget, so why should we worry?
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