Now, Peter is giving more instructions of what Christians needs to do. The word, “therefore” is telling readers what the result should be as they are suffering for Jesus Christ. The “therefore” connects what has been written to this point with what Peter wrote next.
“Humble yourselves” is to allow God’s will to be done in your life. Earlier in this letter, the proud who were exalting themselves above others, would be brought down for God despises the haughty and will punish them. But if you “humble yourself under God’s mighty hand” He will take care of you. Christians need to remind themselves what Jesus Christ went through to provide salvation for each of us. He was tested in all ways like mankind without sinning. He went willingly to the cross to die in our place so we could be cleansed of our sins, all who will come to Him. Other passages of Scripture show God will allow things to happen strengthening our faith in Him. At the same time God will not allow more than what we can handle. Trust in God for He knows what is best.
When you have done this, He will “lift you up in due time." You will be exalted. The opposite of suffering is to be exalted. Jesus taught that those who humble themselves will be exalted. Those who run a race when it seems there is no way they can win; but continue pressing on until they finish the race, ending as the winner. At the end of the race they are exalted. In the same way, the Christian will be exalted by God, if not before when they are received into heaven to be with Jesus Christ. The result of faithfulness, no matter what the circumstance, is heaven. One writer puts it this way, “God in His matchless wisdom will determine in each individual’s case just the right time to comfort and help and honor so as to promote His glory and the real welfare of His humble servants.”
Verse seven continues with the result of humbling yourselves and of what to expect, “cast all your anxiety on him”. The “all” tell us it is everything which comes our way, both good and bad. In the original language verse seven is not a complete sentence; but rather a part of verse six, showing how you “humble yourselves”. It is telling and putting into God’s hand “your anxiety”. We are not to worry for Jesus taught us to look at the lilies and see how they are taken care of and you of greater worth will be taken care of. So many times individuals have worried about something that never happened because they are afraid of turning the situation over to God. You must remember God “cares for you”. If He did not He would not have sent His Son to become the sacrifice, to wash away the sins, of all those who will come to Jesus Christ. This is how much God loves us. Turn your anxieties over to Him and He will bring the best results. Carefully Consider How You Give Your Anxieties Completely To God And You Will Be Blessed When You Humble Yourselves!!!