Unburden Youself

"Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest"  Matthew 11:28 NIV


While Emily and I were shopping a couple of days ago, we found a few things that we needed and got in line to pay.  As we were waiting, I noticed the woman in front of me was struggling to get her money to pay for her purchases.  She finally had to put her purse on the counter to fish for her wallet.  Her purse was large and full to capacity.  I imagined how heavy that purse must be resting on her shoulders and how many times she has to shift it so that each shoulder got rest.  I thought about how that pain might radiate down her back at night once she got home to rest.  The burden of the weight of her purse has to affect her physically each day. 

Thinking about this, my mind shifted to the burden we put on ourselves everyday due to worries, anxieties, and fears.  We also can feel burden from grieving, addictions, brokenness, and sin.  The weight of only one of these symptoms can be overwhelming.  Most of us carry several of these around within ourselves every single day.  The weight can be crushing, suffocating. 

Do you feel like this?  Do you feel crushed by grief?  Does the fear of your future leave you feeling helpless, alone? 

Please know that you are never alone in your burden.  Always remember you do not have to walk this journey by yourself.  Not only do you have so many sisters that are walking this path with you; feeling the same pressures as you.  But know we have a Savior, King of all Kings walking beside us every second.  In Matthew 11:28 NIV Jesus says, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." 

What Jesus is saying here is for us to take those worries, anxieties, fears; our grief, addictions, sins, and brokenness and nail them to the cross.  Hand it over to Him and let Him carry the burden for you.  He will give your soul rest. 

Jesus goes on to say in Matthew 11:29-30 NIV, "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." 

Jesus wants each of us to give Him all that weighs us down.  He wants to carry our burdens so that our yoke will be light.  When we give it all to Him and trust Him to work through us, we have more space in our souls for joy, peace, love, and patience.  We can then encourage others to follow our lead and show them how great God is!!!  He is the ultimate Counselor, Healer, Father!!

Do you want to lighten the load you carry around?  Give it all to Jesus!!  Trust Him to lift your burdens and you will not be weary one second longer.  Psalm 25:1 NIV, "In you, Lord my God, I put my trust."  Trust Him, cast all of your burdens!!

Lord, I pray that all of us right now lay all of our burdens at the foot of the cross.  I pray for rest for all of us as we give You are burdens.  Lord, You came to give life abundantly and I pray that all of us will lay down our burdens so our light yokes will allow for joy, love, and trust.  Thank you Lord for taking our burdens upon Yourself.  Your mercy and grace is astounding.  It's in Your Precious Name I pray, Amen!!