We usually think of “caring” as a good thing, but a recent sermon gave me a new perspective on the power of not caring.
No, I haven’t fallen into a pit of despair. But I have decided to make “I don’t care” a regular part of my speech.
Years ago, a minister I admire, explained that when wicked things like fear, worry, or anxiety try to invade your mind you can simply say, “I doubt it.” Instead of letting doubt become a force that fights your faith, you can choose to point doubt at an appropriate target. You can choose to doubt the works of the enemy instead of questioning the goodness of God.
That lesson popped into my mind this month when my pastor preached on caring, or more specifically, the cares of this world.
He shared that the word care in the Bible is actually the word thorn.
“Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity” (Luke 8:14).
Like many of our emotions, our ability to care can be twisted and deformed until it’s no longer a warm, fuzzy feeling but a scratch against our minds. We have to show we care, prove we care, care about every little thing. Don’t you care?!
But the cares of the world will choke the Word right out of us. We can care—be interested, provide, and look after. But we can’t let things become a care that weighs us down and chokes the life and joy out of our hearts.
When I heard all this on a recent Sunday, I remembered the power of saying “I doubt it.” My wordy mind immediately made the leap to “I don’t care.” I can look at something that is trying to sprout worry, dismay, discouragement, or a plain old bad mood in the garden of my heart, and say, “I don’t care!”
I don’t have another book contract yet. I don’t care.
My baby is already teething. I don’t care.
The weather is already scorching. I don’t care.
We need a new car. I. Don’t. Care!
I know what you’re thinking: Hold on there, Megan. If I don’t care about all that, who will? Someone has to be responsible for all those things!
“Cast all your cares on Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7)
By refusing to care, you aren’t being apathetic toward your responsibilities. You’re placing the issue in the hands of the One who can resolve it. You’re not saying these things aren’t important. You’re saying they’re too important NOT to give to God.
