Do you feel like you are walking around with the weight of the world on your shoulders? Maybe you have some big decisions to be made concerning your work or career and really don’t know which way to go. Maybe one of your children is in a hard place or getting ready to move away, and you so want to hold on but must let them go. Maybe you or someone close has gotten a scary diagnostic and your faith in God is waning. Or maybe you see trouble in your marriage and are losing hope. Whether you relate to one of these or your case is another, the burden you feel is real.
There are so many burdens we carry that were never intended for us.
Many carry the burden of “trying to find who they are”. If you’ve ever felt like you just don’t know what you are doing in this world or can’t seem to find your way, that can all change today. Not a single person has come into this world by accident- even if that’s what you heard- that you were a surprise to your parents. You were not a surprise to God, far from it. And God didn’t create us wondrously and then drop us into this world to figure things out on our own. Even as Psalm 139 makes clear, God personally designed each one of us, no two alike- that’s sure true for my six children! He knows our every thought and word even before we pronounce it. And, there is nowhere we can go that he is not there with us. According to Ephesians 2:10, we are God’s work of art and when he created us, he also prepared a blueprint for our life with plans designed specifically for us to walk out. Your family, background, personality, and gifts – with all your quirks and originality- make you uniquely prepared for those plans prepared for you. So, have no doubt, you are special and your identity is not defined by what you’ve done but by whose you are… the God that made you and loves you is ever present with you.
There’s the burden of changing someone- your husband or wife, a child, mother-in-law (Ha!), or a friend. Who hasn’t felt like you should be able to fix them or at least better them? Believe me, it was never intended and just plain is not going to happen, and you probably make matters worse trying. I learned that the hard way. And keep learning. Because there is something in us women that just wants to fix things. Anyway, the best thing I can do for my marriage is to continually grow to be all I should be and pray blessing on my husband on his journey. The best thing I can do for my children, is to teach and train them in the ways of God and let God do his part. And as for the rest around me, I should give life in all I do and bless them. Only God can do the changing, even as I also am still under construction. So love and be patient.
There’s the burden of past hurts and failures. When we are disappointed, rejected, or outright hurt by others, we have a choice, whether we are conscious of it or not. Either we forgive and let go, or we don’t, and we carry it around in a suitcase for the rest of our lives. When our life simply doesn’t look like we thought it would at this time of the game- be it that our prince charming never showed or the one we married turned out to be a frog… the kids came before the career, so you’re still working where you did 20 years ago or you stayed home instead… adversity came and you never moved from the starter home… or you lost someone near and dear way before expected. While we can’t change things that have happened, we can choose how they affect us.
The burden of anxiety can be almost unbearable. What if I lose my job? i may even lose my house. What if I get covid-19? I’m overweight and have diabetes, so I will most likely die. And if its not that, well, my mother died of cancer, so I’m a high risk. What will my children do without me? What if my son that went to basic training gets hurt and I don’t even know? What if my husband’s new secretary is pretty? What if my car breaks down again, and I don’t have the money to fix it? What ifs probably keep you up more nights that you want to admit.
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7)
Alright, it’s time to take every one of these burdens off your shoulders. Are you ready? It’s a two step plan. Number one, you have to recognize the burden and that you want to be rid of it. That takes humility. Because as long as I say, I’m fine, I can do it, I am living in pride and all the while, suffering for it. God is not going to snatch the burden from you, he is waiting for you to give it to him. That is the second step. Number two, cast your cares- all your cares, every one- upon him. That means take it off your shoulders, out of your hands, and leave it with him. Careful! Don’t pick them up again. Don’t go back and tell God he’s taking too long or not doing as you would. Give him all and trust. Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken. (Psalm 55:22)
In the hardest times and greatest storms, remember what God says. When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. (Isaiah 43:2)
In the ups and downs of raising children, remember who gave them to you and that he loves them even more than you or I can. Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.(Psalm 127:3)
In every decision, big or small, you don’t have to go it alone. Ask God. James 1:5 says, If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. So, ask, listen and follow.
“Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take up my yoke and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
