“Throw the Rod and Reel in Too”

My daddy loved to fish. He had so many fishing rods and tackle boxes filled with lures, bobbers, weights, and all such things. Some of my favorite memories from childhood are days spent fishing with Daddy. He would bait my hook (because I couldn’t stand the thought of sticking a live worm on there) and when I caught a fish, he had to take the fish off the hook. When I was 6 or 7 years old, he took me, my 10 year old brother, and one of his friends fishing. This particular day, I was the only one who caught a fish and it’s the beauty I’m holding up in one of the pictures below. The funny part of that catch was that Daddy had to help me reel it in because it was ‘soooo’ big. In his (and my) excitement, he elbowed me and I fell into the lake. Thankfully, it was shallow water and I could stand up and climb out and onto the bank, but even more thankfully, Daddy didn’t lose my fish. (If you look closely in the picture, you will see I’m standing in a puddle…yes I was that wet!) I had bragging rights until our next fishing trip. Then when I was about 10 years old, Daddy took me to Take a Kid Fishing Rodeo at City Pond in Manchester. I out-fished all the boys that day too, landing the biggest catch and the most caught. Daddy taught me that casting my line is very important. The further you cast your bait, the deeper water your line would be in. That’s where the best catches would be. When you hook a big one, though, it is a fight trying to reel him in.

Peter was also a fisherman.

When he says in First Peter 5:7 to “cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you,” I imagine he was thinking about fishing. The dictionary defines ‘cast’ as to “throw something forcefully in a specified direction.” When I’ve cast a fishing line, I would pick out a spot and throw my line as hard as I could. I’ve almost thrown my shoulder out before trying to get it far away from me. That’s what God wants us to do with our cares, anxieties, worries and fears. He wants us to pick out a spot (Him) and cast them (throw them forcefully) to Him. That isn’t enough though. A lot of times we try to reel those cares back in to take another look. That’s not God’s design. When you reel them back in, they are heavier than before and it’s a bigger struggle to carry them. We need to throw the rod and reel in too so we don’t have access to those cares any more. Trade our cares and heavy burdens for His easy yoke and light burden. I don’t know why He wants to trade His peace for my cares and anxieties, but I’m certainly glad He does. It’s not always easy. Sometimes I’ve thrown the rod and reel in when I’ve cast my cares and then found myself swimming around trying to find the reel. When I get wet, though, I remember to leave my fears in His hands. He already knows what lies ahead and how He’s working everything out in His time and in His way. I just simply need to trust Him and rest in His peace. If you’re burdened down today with fear, worry and anxiety, cast those cares on the Lord and then throw in the rod and reel too. Begin thanking Him for His provision, for His plan for your life, and for His peace that is beyond comprehension.

Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV) Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hears and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Psalm 55:22 (NIV) Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.

Matthew 11:28-30 Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.