TO CARE OR NOT TO CARE

Table of Contents

1. Introduction: What Would Life Be Like Without Worry?
2. Philippians 4:6 8 — Worry About Nothing, Be Saturated in Prayer
3. The Peace of God: Worship in the Middle of Storms
4. Our Oneness with Christ and God’s Righteousness in Us
5. Casting Every Care on Him — 1 Peter 5:7
6. Moment-by-Moment Living in Peace
7. The Life of Christ Within Us — Ephesians 3:16–21
8. Closing Story: Blessings Even in Loss
9. Conclusion: Trust, Praise, and Live Carefree

Introduction: What Would Life Be Like Without Worry?

Pastor Lori began her message warmly, greeting the congregation and sharing that Pastor Leonard Rola was away preaching in New York City. She expressed joy for the blessings happening there and happiness to be back after a month away. She then asked a profound question: “What would it be like if we never worried? What would life be like if we never had stress, fear, or anxiety?” She invited everyone to imagine a world where no one took on cares — no stress, no fear, no worry.

To many, this might seem impossible. “We live in the world,” she said, “and it feels like it cannot be done.” Yet she reminded everyone that the Word of God is alive, active, and powerful. It cannot be denied and remains eternally true. As she meditated on this daily, she asked the Lord, “Can this really be? Could life truly be lived without worry?” With that question, she led everyone into the Word to discover what God says about it.

Philippians 4:6–8 — Worry About Nothing, Be Saturated in Prayer

Pastor Lori turned to Philippians 4:6–8 reading and emphasizing its message:

Be careful for nothing, but in every thing, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. She repeated it slowly — “Worry about nothing.” She told herself often, “Lori, worry about nothing.”

She described what it means to be *saturated in prayer,* like a sponge so full of water that it can no longer hold any more. “Be saturated in prayer throughout each day,” she said, “offering your faith-filled requests before God with overflowing gratitude.” This, she explained, is the key — to come to God not with fear or begging, but with thanksgiving. “It seems opposite to what I used to do,” she said. “I used to beg God, ‘Please, please, listen to me!’ But now He says, ‘Don’t worry about anything. Come with praise. Come with gratitude, knowing I’ve got it.’” When we do this, the Word promises: And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

The Peace of God: Worship in the Middle of Storms Prayer

Pastor Lori explained that this peace isn’t natural — it’s supernatural. “In this place of worship and gratitude,” she said, “you will witness the peace of God within you.”

That peace echoes the awareness of our oneness in Christ. It’s beyond the reach of any thought that could unsettle us. She compared it to Jesus asleep in the boat during the storm. The disciples panicked, thinking they would drown, but Jesus rested peacefully. “That’s the kind of peace He offers us,” she said. “He knew they’d reach the other side — and so can we.”

She reminded the congregation of John 14:27- Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. This peace, she emphasized, comes directly from Jesus. It cannot be achieved through self-effort, meditation, or methods of the world. It is a divine gift from the Prince of Peace Himself.

Oneness with Christ and God’s Righteousness in Us

Pastor Lori grew emotional as she described the revelation of being one with Christ. “Wait,” she said, “God loves me just like Jesus.” She wept when she first understood it. “I’m equal with Jesus? I’m blameless, innocent, holy — that’s how the Father sees me.”

She then quoted the truth from 2 Corinthians 5:21 (though she paraphrased, it reflects this verse): For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

She explained, “He made Him who knew no sin to become sin for me, so that I might become the righteousness of God. You can’t be more righteous than that!” As believers meditate on this, she said, praise becomes easier, and peace follows naturally. “He’s above every situation. He’s got it.”

Casting Every Care on Him — 1 Peter 5:7

Moving to 1 Peter 5:7, Pastor Lori emphasized the command and the promise within the verse: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

She explained that “casting” means to fling it — throw it off and hand it to the Lord. “Take immediate action when distractions come,” she said. “Fling them upon the Lord. He’s got your best interest at heart.” She warned believers not to be “intoxicated by cares.” Worry clouds the mind, but keeping our hearts clear allows us to remain aware of righteousness. “The world’s fallen system seeks to paralyze us with fear,” she said, “but that system is in complete opposition to who we are in Christ.”

Our bodies, she noted, weren’t designed for anxiety. She shared from experience that stress had once sent her to the hospital. “My body couldn’t handle it,” she said. “When you take those things on, your body breaks down.” Instead, she encouraged: “Don’t worry about anything — not one thing. Instead, praise Him. Thank Him. He’s got it.

Moment-by-Moment Living in Peace

Pastor Lori emphasized that living without worry is not a single decision — it’s moment by moment.“Right now in this moment, don’t worry,” she said. “When the next moment comes, don’t worry then either.” She reminded listeners that we are not to think about “what if.” “What if” thoughts belong to the future — not to this present moment of faith. “If I’m thinking right, I’m not thinking about the what-ifs,” she said.

She reminded everyone again of Philippians 4:8- Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely… think on these things.
“Think on what’s true right now,” she said. “That’s how God wants us to live.”

The Life of Christ Within Us — Ephesians 3:16–21

As she prepared to close, Pastor Lori shared the prayer from Ephesians 3, which she prays every night before bed, making it personal.

She quoted and reflected on the passage:

That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man. That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love…
She described how she envisions supernatural strength flooding her inner being — not trickling in, but flooding. “That strength and divine might are from Him,” she said. “I keep asking the Lord, ‘Show me what that looks like!’” Faith, she explained, is simply a positive response to God. “I already have the faith of the Son of God,” she said. “So I don’t have to try harder — I just believe.”

Then she continued: That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love… may be able to comprehend… and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge.

“That’s the life of Christ released deep inside of me,” she said. “He took no offense, had complete peace, and listened only to the Father — that same life is in me.”

Finally, she read: Now unto him that can do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us. “This is ours,” she declared. “This is our God. His power is working in us right now.”

Closing Story: Blessings Even in Loss

Pastor Lori then shared a deeply personal story about her father’s passing just weeks earlier.

She said, “Death usually doesn’t go so good — there’s sorrow. But for us, it was filled with blessings.” Her father was sent home under hospice care and told he might have a month. He passed peacefully four and a half days later — into the arms of Jesus. Several times, he lifted his hand as if seeing into the heavenly realm. Once, he whispered, “Mom.” Though he had never called his mother “Mom” in life, he did so then — a sign that she was there waiting for him in glory. She and her mother sat by his side as he took his last breath. “I was able to kiss him and say, ‘Dad, I love you.’”

 Her brother, who lived nearby, decided unexpectedly to stay the night, meaning all three of her father’s children were present when he passed. Even in death, blessings surrounded them — from peace in the room to a military funeral and a police escort. “The world sees death,” she said, “but we saw passing — passing into the arms of Jesus.”She encouraged everyone: “Count your blessings. Name them one by one. Live trusting the Lord and believing in His love for you, caring about nothing.”

Conclusion: Trust, Praise, and Live Carefree

Pastor Lori ended with encouragement:

“Trust the Lord. Believe in His love. It *is* possible to live carefree — worrying about nothing. Live knowing that you have His peace — the peace that passes understanding — His peace.” She repeated Jesus’ promise once more: Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you… Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. She urged the congregation to “catch those blessings” each day, noticing and celebrating what God does. “Go to bed saying, ‘Wow, You did that, Lord.’”
Her final declaration: “He loves you. You are not alone. The Holy Spirit — the same power that raised Christ from the dead — lives in you.”

We hope this article has blessed you. Share this teaching with others who need peace today. Remember, Jesus’ love is limitless, His peace unshakable, and His Word eternal. Whatever you face, cast every care upon Him — for He cares for you.