Laying Down Our Fears and Burdens

In my opinion, it is really quite challenging to journey here in this broken world.  These last 18 months have been terribly difficult for me. (And I am aware that there are so many others who are in very difficult seasons of their own and for this I am so sorry).  I have never known so much personal sorrow nor struggled with fear as I have over this last year and a half. To be honest, I am getting pretty weary.  Just when I think I can stand up and take a breath it seems that another big wave comes crashing down upon me and those closest to me.  I am, however, so very grateful that, even in these continual storms, God's Word and His people have ministered to me time and time again.  Just when it seems like I will surely be crushed, God sends His Son Jesus, cleverly disguised, whether in His Word or through His creation, to rescue me.

"Be anxious for nothing," God tells us.  Instead of choosing to fear what is unknown, "pray and supplicate and make your requests known to God," His Word reminds us.   So, I pray and I ask very specifically...and then I choose to leave my worries there at the foot of the cross, at least I leave it there as long as I am able.  I often find myself picking my fears up again because I am weak and made up dust.  But when I realize that I have picked up those heavy burdens of fear again, knowing how they can harm me, my family and my testimony,  I usually choose to return to Him again in prayer!  Here I am again Lord....help me please! Why do I go to Him over and over again and with the very same things? Because He said I can and that I should. 

 "Come to Me," my dear Lord says..."All who are weary and heaven burdened and I will give you rest for your souls! I am meek and humble in heart so learn from Me, for My yoke is easy and my burden is light."  So, when I realize that the yoke and burden I am carrying is nearly crushing me, I am reminded that I must be carrying something more than He expects me to carry.  Which are the burdens that He has entrusted to me and which are the ones I have taken on myself that were never meant for me to carry. He promises in His Word that He will never give us more than we can bear.  So, when I am carrying more than I can bear, surely somewhere along the line I have added something to my God-given burden that is causing my body and emotions to topple or be crushed under weight.

Over the last couple of years, each time I would return from the grocery store, my son, Cole, would often offer to help me carry in the shopping bags of food.  And I find myself each time so pleased by his willingness to help me- a small sign of his growing maturity and sacrificial love.  So, Cole and I go to the trunk and I pick out the bags I think will not be too heavy for him to carry but also not so light that he thinks I don't believe in his ability to do his part.  And you know, as time has gone on Cole has realized that he is now able to carry a little bit more than he could in times past and as a result he often comments on how he is seeing that he is growing stronger.  I have seen also, however, that in this he has gotten a little over-confident and tried to take some bags that are a little too heavy for him to carry.  And when he does he quickly turns to me and says, "Mom, can you help me with this, its a little too heavy for me to carry."  

And this is exactly what God is calling me to do with Him, as my heavenly father.  Because, like Cole, I know that God, who is a good and loving Father, does not expect me to carry those things that are too heavy for me either.  So, I choose now to let go of the future of my loved ones and to trust that you, O Lord, are not cross with me or desiring to overburden me.  But rather, I choose to believe that just as I am pleased with Cole, You, Lord, are pleased when your children are willing to carry those things which you have entrusted to them and also just as pleased to carry those things which are too heavy for them to bear.  

My devotional reading today was very appropriate for what I have been walking through recently.  It reads, "For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed."  Malachi 3:6

"The Lord is with us today and we have nothing to fear.  Go forth in the joy and anticipation of His blessing.  Put aside needless worries and thoughts of what might be.  They only tangle and crowd the path laid out before you.  Be confident and of good courage, for the cause is the Lord's not ours.  God has promised that He will keep.  There is not variableness or changing in Him.  We shall yet see His hand at work to bring about His design and desire - so we must be prepared.  Faith is the necessary key to unlock the treasury God has in store.  He will keep our unbelief if we will stay close to Him in our need."   (Adapted from Hal Helms' personal devotional writings entitled Echoes of Eternity.)

Cole's absolute favorite thing to do right now is to have me read "Little Pilgrims Progress" to him.  And it is my absolute great pleasure and complete joy to do so!  Anyhow, today we reviewed the part where the hero, Little Christian, loses the heavy burden he was carrying when he reached the cross.  Oh how joyful our character in the story was to final lose the burden he knew he was carrying even though others could not see it with their eyes.  

I used to think of this burden in Pilgrim's Progress only as a man's own sin.  But I am now realizing that we carry not only the burden of our own sins, those things which we volitionally and willfully do in our lives, but also the burden and pain of the sin which has come upon us at the hand of other humans and even by way of a broken world in the form of disease, fear, trials, and the fear of death.  It is all a burden too big for us to bear, no matter by what way it has come upon us.  I have known the power of the cross in its ability to wash away my own willful sins and in its power to help me forgive sins committed against me by others; but over these last 18 months, I am just now really learning experientially the power of the cross in its ability to bring healing in disease and life after death.  

Lord, thank you that you would regard us, who are so small and weak, as worthy in Christ Jesus to be a part of your blessed family!  

Comments

[JulieinCA]

You just put my heart on paper. I struggle in the same way and have a hard time letting go. I am so thankful we have a God that carries our burdens for us and wants us to give them to him. Thankful my sins are paid for and I can ask forgiveness that I have already received.

As we go through struggles it is important to remember others who struggle. I am going through a rough season but would rather hear about your rough season and not focus on myself. So there is no need for apologies.

Praying for you.

[Ann]

My heart hurts for you. Praying for smoother sailing if it be God's will for you. Ann from Chicagoland

[Ann]

Praying--Ann

[Terri Bright]

Kerry

Thank you so much for your post today! It really hit home. I have been reading your blog for well over a year now but have only posted one time. You have know idea how many times you speak to me through your blog. I too have been having those crushing waves hit me for the past couple of years. You never know whos life you touch. I pray for you and your family often.

Thank you for you!
Terri

[Joni In MN]

Dearest Kerry,
You have spoken my words but no way could I've written it so clearly. Which makes me wonder why I got A+ in English... hmm, perhaps it's the "over weight" suffering I have had the tendancy to carry these last 18 months instead of "Letting Go & Letting God"???
Once again, God has spoken to me through you, and for that I am so GRATEFUL!
Thank You Kerry for your time you take out to share your witings with us in Blogland ^5!!!
May Peace, Love & Understanding find your family carrying the cross into tomorrow,
Love,
~Joni Lee

[Debbie from Ohio]

Casting all our cares on Him because He cares for us....