Cast Your Cares

When most people think of grief and loss, the first thing that comes to mind is death—the passing of someone dear. Sometimes it’s the loss of a relationship when someone makes destructive choices and separates themselves from you. In most minds, grief is tied to people.

But grief and loss take many forms. For example, today I had a full appointment booked—hair color, cut, style, the works. At the last minute, the client canceled. Just like that, I lost $200. On the surface, it might seem small compared to losing a loved one, but that $200 was money I needed to pay bills or buy groceries. That sudden gap became a loss. It’s a simple example, but it shows that grief can be tied to situations, finances, and unexpected disruptions—not just people.

If we look up the definition of grief, we’ll find:
"A deep sorrow, especially caused by someone’s death.”
But when I hear grief, I think: deep sorrow, a death of something. Sometimes that “something” is just the tip of the iceberg—a small loss that cracks open the door to deeper grief that’s been hiding beneath the surface, like a massive glacier under the water.

During the COVID shutdowns, I experienced a deep loss—but not in the way most people think. I’m a hairdresser. It’s been my whole career. The day they announced that only “essential workers” could keep working, I found out I wasn’t considered essential. (That’s a whole other topic for another day!) When I learned salons were closing, I was devastated. My work is more than a job—it’s how I serve people, connect with them, and even minister to them. Suddenly, all of that stopped. And if I dared to work, I could lose my license. Then the financial blow hit—no clients, no income, no way to pay bills, keep our house, or even buy food. The sorrow was overwhelming, and my mind, body, and spirit felt crushed under the weight of it. I know I wasn’t the only one feeling that way. But in that moment, it felt like I was.

Whether grief comes from losing a person or a situation that leaves us in despair, there’s one person who understands our pain completely: Jesus. When I read in the Bible about the grief and sorrow Jesus experienced, it changes me. If He knows the depth of what I’m feeling, then I’m not alone. In the middle of my breakdown, my husband reminded me of something I often tell my clients: “Trust in Him. Rely on Him.”

That’s easier said than done when you’re drowning in despair. But he was right. Jesus truly knows all of my loss, grief, and sorrow. He feels it with me.
So, I prayed: “Jesus, I rely on You. I don’t know the way forward. I have no answers except Yours. Lead me where You want me to go.”
It wasn’t easy to say—when you’re in the depths of sorrow, all you see is the darkness. But 1 Peter 5:7 says: “Cast all your cares upon Him because He cares for you.”
A friend recently sent me this verse in another translation: “Cast the whole weight of your anxiety upon Him, because you are His personal concern.” That hit me deeply.

Feelings will come. Grief won’t simply vanish. But we are never alone in it. God’s hands and shoulders are strong enough to carry every ounce of our sorrow. He holds us tightly, never letting go, always promising to make a way. Whether your loss is a person or a situation, He will never leave you. Let Him hold you. You can do this by reading His Word - His words are like a hug straight from Heaven, wrapping you in His love. This is only one verse out of many that offer hope - hope that can put light back into the darkest places. So, when the bills seem impossible, when the situation feels hopeless, or when your heart aches from missing someone you love, remember: