He restores my soul ~ Psalm 23:3
Life is full of challenges. You win some and you lose some. As a result, this makes you a prime target for disappointment along the journey. People, situations, and other circumstances will try you, and in many cases, quickly discourage you. This disappointment will lead us to a path of defeat and despair if steps aren’t taken to help erase the pressure of it all. To be fair, some of the challenges we face are also because of the poor choices we make. There is only one to blame in those situations. You begin to feel trapped and see no escape or resolution. But there must be a resolution. There must be a way towards restoration.
Your life can become “cast”
Sheep are interesting animals. They are not the smartest animals in the world and they also have interesting behavior. A sheep may become cast. This is a term that means a sheep falls over and lies helplessly on its back with its legs shaking fiercely without any chance of getting up on its own. They are helpless, and for all purposes, hopeless without the intervention of the shepherd. A cast sheep can die without help from the shepherd.
This is the way it is with life. We can become cast and without hope or help.
Your cast life can become suspect to predators
When a sheep is cast, wolves and other predatory animals understand these sheep are susceptible and helpless. Scripture tells us in 1 Peter 5:8, “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” This is exactly what happens. You become cast and helpless, Satan prowls around and discovers you are in a vulnerable situation, and then attacks at just the right moment.
Have you been there? Have you been cast? Did you realize you were in a perfect situation for Satan’s attack in your life? I’m not trying to scare you, but trying to warn you. When we’re cast, we need to be put back in the right position. We need restoration.
Your Good Shepherd restores your cast life
Things are different for you if you are a Christ-follower. This places you in a different category. It places you in a flock of many sheep who are under the care and protection of Jesus, the Good Shepherd. Jesus loves you and restores you from the disappointment and despair of being cast. This happens as you rest in His protection and love for you. The question is, “Do you have any responsibility?” I would say yes. Your responsibility is to exercise humility and allow God to do what He does and simply rest in His care. This is hard for many because self-sufficiency and pride is the enemy of resting in God’s provision.
Trust the Good Shepherd. He loves you. He will restore you.
Some Questions…
- What things in your life cause you to be or feel cast?
- How can you protect yourself from becoming cast?
- Studying Scripture can help keep you from becoming cast. Would you commit to reading and studying Scripture daily?