Near the end of his first epistle to Christians living in Asia Minor, Peter gave counsel to "elders" or leaders in congregations, and to parishioners (or the "flock") under the care of leaders in the region. Our verse for today was directed at the laity—the average believer in Christ and His Church.

Because the statement in V:7 is a continuation of the sentence started in V:6—there being no break in the original Greek—one has to consider Peter's counsel in V:7 in the context of the preceding verse. Thus, Peter is essentially saying, 'Be humble before God and, in His own time, He will lift you up. In the interim, cast your cares upon Him, knowing that He cares about you and the things you worry about.'

Peter knows the Christians in Asia Minor are suffering; and he knows that it is natural to ask, "Can I really look after others' needs when I have needs of my own? If I do, who will watch out for me?" Peter's faith-filled response is simply, "God will watch out for you—because he cares about you!"

Peter's counsel is essentially, "Don't worry! Be happy!" Adding, "If God cares about you, what really do you have to worry about?!" Everything will work out and God will resolve all of your challenges in His way and when He knows the timing is right.