Elisabeth Elliot (1926-2015) was a missionary and a critically acclaimed author and speaker. For over half a century, her life of obedience, timeless teachings, and best-selling books have influenced both believers and seekers of the Christian faith. For thirteen years Elliot opened her daily radio program “Gateway to Joy” with these words:
You are loved with an everlasting love, that’s what the Bible says, and underneath are the everlasting arms. This is your friend, Elisabeth Elliot.
The resounding theme of Elliot’s life was the boundless love of Jesus, and her greatest commission was to tell others of His saving grace. This costly call led her into the Amazonian jungle of Ecuador where her husband, Jim Elliot, was one of five missionaries speared to death in 1956 while attempting to make contact with members of the Auca/Waodani tribe. Elisabeth, along with her young daughter Valerie, would later return to Auca territory to live among and minister to the people who killed her husband. Familiar with suffering, Elliot wrote, “The deepest things that I have learned in my own life have come from the deepest suffering. And out of the deepest waters and the hottest fires have come the deepest things I know about God.”
In 2021, a piece of writing by Elisabeth was discovered tucked away in a Word document – it had never been published or seen by anyone. In partnership with the Elisabeth Elliott Foundation, DaySpring is publishing that writing for you in the new book, Heart of God: 31 Days to Discover God’s Love for You. The following is an excerpt from this never-before-published piece of work that we hope blesses your heart as it has ours.
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Do you ever have those days when you wonder if anyone cares for you? You can be certain that the heart of God cares for you. God’s heart is tender and loving. God cares for us when no one else seems to be concerned. When you and I offer our fears, worries, and anxieties to God, we give Him the opportunity to demonstrate how marvelously caring His heart really is, and we allow God to show us how deeply He cares for us.
Peter tells us to “cast” all our cares. This word carries with it the idea of deliberately depositing a burden upon someone or something else. If we were to do that to another person, that person might feel like we were imposing. But it is not so with God. Peter tells us to actually cast it or throw it upon God, who will never feel imposed upon because He cares for us.
Have you humbly opened your heart to Him? Have you taken your worries to Him? Have you accepted the outpouring of loving care that flows from God’s heart? If not, then today is the perfect time to do so. Cast your cares upon God and leave them there. When you do, you will experience relief like a heavy load has been lifted from your shoulders. And it has, because the heart of God cares for you.
God, Your loving care for me is deeper than I can imagine. Thank You for caring about me when no one else seems to. I will open my heart to You, and I will return Your love today, tomorrow, and throughout eternity. Amen.
Understanding the depth and reality of God’s love for us is one of the great adventures of the Christian life. A Heart of God: 31 Days to Discover God’s Love for You is a one-month-devotional journey to open your heart and soul to experience God’s character, His intentions, and His great plan for you in your everyday, ordinary life (and this crazy world). You’ll find out how the compassionate hand of God is in your every circumstance, even when you are suffering. May you encounter the unfolding mystery of His infinite layers and His unprecedented love for you right where you are at.
Get your copy today (and pick up a copy for a friend as well). . . and leave a comment below for a chance to WIN one of 5 copies*!
Then join Becky Keife for a conversation with Kathy Reeg, president of the Elisabeth Elliot Foundation, tomorrow on Facebook and Instagram! We’ll replay their conversation on the (in)courage podcast this weekend too. Don’t miss it!
Listen to today’s article at the player below or wherever you stream podcasts.
Amen. Thank you for sharing!
I was just thinking about Elisabeth Elliot’s story a couple of days ago. I think about her from time to time, and I am still amazed and encouraged each time. Hers is a compelling example of true love and forgiveness. When I think about her story, it seems downright silly not to forgive. And this is only one aspect of the impact she and her husband’s lives have had on so many.
Thanks for sharing! It is wonderful to see her legacy being carried on. May God bless it!
I feel like Elisabeth Elliot would have definitely been included in the Bible, had it been written in modern day. I can’t wait to get my hands on this devotional and share it!
This is so beautiful My sister In law loves Elisabeth Elliot. I would love to win a copy for her
Thank you for the chance to win this devotional. It sounds like a great encouragement for us all.
I have never heard of Elisabeth Elliot. She is an incredible woman, to return to live amongst the people who killed her husband. What a gift to find her writings simply sitting there in a WORD document! Thank you for the chance to win a copy of Elisabeth’s book.
This is incredible! I was recently sharing an excerpt from one of Elisabeth Elliot’s previous books with a client of mine, and my mom is a big fan of her too. Already she’s impacted two generations of our family and how lovely to read her new book and share with a new one. This will make a great birthday present for my mom 🙂
Such a powerful lesson/reminder…
Thank you for this opportunity.
This devotional was very timely as I am praying for my elderly aunt’s declining health and for my elderly mom who is taking care of her. A beautiful reminder that God cares for us, and wants us to cast our cares and worries on him. Thank you for sharing these beautiful words.
Beautiful… what an amazing example how to allow God’s love shine and live in your life… forgiving/loving those who were against you and your loves…. the heart of Jesus!
Sounds like a great devotional! One I need!
What a beautiful reminder again of God’s care and love for us in our pain.
Have been blessed so many times by Elizabeth’s writings!
Thank you for the wonderful message, I really needed to hear this today. I’m struggling with many different issues today. Thank you again Judy
Such a simple truth that we all need reminding of. And the blue on that book cover is giving me all the feels!
The definition of cast being to throw on another is so powerful. Thank you for sharing! Only Jesus is strong enough to have heavy burdens thrown at Him! Wow, wow, wow!
This was just what I needed to read today. My family had been going through a tough time and to be reminded that God is with us loving us through this time was timely today.
Sometimes I don’t have the energy to cast my cares, yet I know God lifts them when all I can say is “help”.
Wow! What an extraordinary story! And what an extraordinary God we serve!
God has brought this verse 1Peter 5:7 into to my life now for the third day in a row! I think He may be telling me I need this devotional.
This has been an interesting year. I am getting ready to move. I have lost a friendship or so it seems. A friendship that was newer to me & very dear to me. I have asked for time to talk by ourselves & I am usually the one finding time alone for us to talk. All of that to say, this sounds like the perfect reading companion for when I get moved & can take a moment to relax. Thank you for providing another opportunity to win.
God’s love for me is what fuels me everyday.
Such a powerful story
“Heart of God” sounds like an amazing book for anyone who is struggling and feels alone, which actually includes pretty much everyone in the world today. I think this would be a great book to share with my Cancer Warriors Group – many of the women are currently in cancer treatment and the others continue to battle post treatment.
E. Eliot shared so many wonderful thoughts that I heard or read. The new book sounds wonderful! I hope to read it.
Such a beautiful reminder of how God is always taking care of us.
Thank you for the opportunity to receive this new devotional book.
Elizabeth Elliot is a wonderful source of encouragement to me! I’m just finishing the book “Suffering is Never for Nothing.”It’s a book written from one of her conferences & it is such a perspective giver! One idea that really blesses me is that our struggles are “gifts” and we can offer them back up to God, even if just in the form of a broken and contrite heart. This encourages me that nothing we go through is wasted when we have faith in Christ.
I was touched by the reading about God’s love. I am all alone & truly have no one left that cares. My Dr’s have asked who to notify in case of an emergency & I said “the Lord”, tell Him I am ready to come home! I would love to read this book but don’t have the funds for it. Thank you for sharing this inspiring excerpt. It truly touched my heart! God’s blessings to your ministry!
I have so often during these unending, horrific storms -of personal problems, aging issues, loneliness and isolation, worry and fear surrounding the pandemic, great sadness over the effects of severe weather, and political turmoil, wondered if I was bothering God.. Throughout the day , I cry out “Help me God! I am going under again and again,,,I am at the end of my rope” I can’t take any more” …
Theni get disturbing phone calls, email from family and friends who are in trouble and/or Daily pray for people on my prayer lisT – 100 ! and I cry out in anguish HELP US< GOD, wondering am i bothering God/ SO much gratitude for this post!!!
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“Cast your cares on Him.” I’ve read this quite a few times. I hadn’t forgotten it. Yet, I need reminded of this so very important ‘command’–especially now, one year after my husband’s stroke, when his condition is worsening.
The book is beautiful and the words are comforting…I’d love to have a book donated to me, lost everything in the fire and can’t afford anything at this time TYIA god bless.
In Courage,
Elizabeth Elliott is one of a few who commit their lives to Christ. They give up worldly possessions for a life of giving & caring for others. Theirs is an other centered life. They know that God loves & cares for them so much that He sent His only son to die a horrible death for us all.
When trials & frustrations come my way I simply cast my cares on God. I go to Him in prayer & ask Him to help me. It soothes & calms my weary soul.
Blessings 🙂