Burdens
“Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take 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(CSB; She Reads Truth Bible)
Who of us isn’t weary and burdened? Life is filled with responsibilities, hardships, and expectations. I think sometimes we get so used to trying to do it all and carrying the load alone that we don’t even notice how much it is dragging us down. We don’t want to disappoint people so we just keep piling things on. For me I tend to carry the burdens until I physically can’t anymore. I’ve been accused of being too “in tune” with my feelings and emotions, which honestly is probably true. While stress and emotions affect everyone physically to an extent, it tends to be excessive for me. I have had to learn to say no, to not take on other people’s emotions and feelings as my own burden to bear. I have had to learn how to sort through what feelings are healthy and what feelings need to be let go. It’s okay and healthy to have a good reflection and cry, but it’s not okay to stay there. Now, I am not saying I have mastered this because I definitely haven’t, but what I am saying is that it can be done, often over and over again. It just can’t be done on our own. We aren’t meant to carry our sin, shame, fears, doubts, grief, and brokenness on our own. God is desperate for us to realize that He is right there ready to take on our burdens. He desires for us to find rest, peace, and joy. All the passages I have written about so far have referred to God’s desire to bring us rest. Jesus died on the cross not only for the forgiveness of our sins, but to open up the deep, loving relationship we can have with God. There is no longer separation between us, we can come to him in prayer. We can lay down our burdens and take on his promises. We can give up our worries and anxieties (something I desperately need to live into more; I could win an Olympic medal for worrying…) because God loves us so much that he sent His son so that we can find rest and peace in Him. It doesn’t mean that life won’t still be hard and that trials won’t come. In fact, Jesus tells us that we will have troubles, but to “Be courageous! I have conquered the world.” (John 16:33) The creator of the universe wants to know our deepest fears and burdens. He wants us to give them up so we can be surrounded in a peace that surpasses all understanding. He wants to guard our hearts and minds so that we can find rest in Him. “For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” We just need to be willing to lay ours down in order to take what is being offered. We need to be intentional in letting go, spending time in prayer and the Word, saying no, choosing to get physical rest over doing more. Perhaps, most importantly, admitting that we are struggling. Finding people around you that can share the burden, pray for you, and remind you that you aren’t alone. Cry out to God and trust in His promises; like Jesus says “…you will find rest for your souls.”
-Jackie
“Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
-Philippians 4:6-7(CSB; She Reads Truth Bible)
A Life Imperfect 