Healing from Heavy Burdens

Have you ever felt like you are carrying more than you can handle? I know I have. Maybe you are like me, bringing all the grocery bags out of the car simultaneously to avoid making multiple trips. Or perhaps you go shopping and decide not to take a cart or a handbasket, only to end up with more in your hands than you can hold. I’ve been in this place too many times, and I must admit, I always carry more than I know I can hold. 

A few months ago, I traveled with my youngest child on an airplane for the first time. And while I’ve been flying practically my whole life, this was my first time flying by myself with a child. I was both excited and terrified. I told myself I would pack light this time to avoid feeling overwhelmed with heavy bags while carrying my son. It worked! I successfully packed less than usual to lighten the load and ensure I wasn’t stressed. The flight attendant helped me lift my one bag into the overhead compartment, and I sat in my seat with just my son and a toy. It was AMAZING! I couldn’t believe how much lighter and easier everything felt when I wasn’t trying to carry more than I could hold. I was carrying a load that was fit for my two hands, and nothing additional I didn’t need to carry. It was like I felt free to enjoy my time with my son. 

Jesus calls us to this type of life and freedom when He says in Matthew 11:28-30, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (niv) Many times in life, we pick up loads to carry that we never intended to. If you are anything like me, maybe you’ve felt this way before. It is so easy to take the loads of our family, friends, workplaces, and even the burdens of the world around us. Christ never intended for us to carry this weight on our own, and there is a promise we know from Scripture that He will carry it for us and sustain us. Psalm 55:22 says, Cast your cares on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken. (niv)

Today, if you feel like you are holding your whole world together, you can rest knowing that God desires to give you healing from your heavy burdens. He desires to take the load for you. All it takes is a moment of surrender in His presence. His hands are more than able to carry the weight. When we surrender and come to Jesus, we always find true rest. The type of rest that heals. The type of rest that restores. 

Are you in need of this type of rest today, friend? There is always healing from our heavy burdens when we give them to the Lord. Would you pray with me? 

Jesus, I come to you today with my burdens. I lay them at Your feet. I know that Your yoke is easy, and Your burden is light. Today, I surrender everything I am holding onto to You. Amen.

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Scripture is quoted from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION^®, NIV^® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.^® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.