23_Bearing Burdens
Friday, February 7, 2025
Come, dally with me as the dusk dissolves into darkness. My love is still away, serving the church family, and the children are tucked into their cozy cribs. The occasional cough echoes through the house, as sickness seems to be the standard state of being this time of year.
I finally find a moment to listen to my own thoughts. My mind overflows with worries and wonders of what lies ahead. My little ones, will they walk with Jesus? The world is changing so quickly, how can I equip them for trials I've never had to face? That Bible verse I read earlier, about death and life being in the power of the tongue - did I speak enough words of life, words of encouragement, to my loved ones today?
Oh, how the resignation rushes in, eager to eradicate whatever is true, honorable, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and praiseworthy - the very things we are exhorted in Philippians 4:8 to dwell upon.
In the chaotic clamor of my concerns, there is a calm but consistent undercurrent, calling for my attention. My qualms quiet long enough for me to listen:
These are not your burdens to bear.
Oh, the sweetness that slips into my soul as the Spirit reminds me that I have a Savior who bears my burdens.
“Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you 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)
Rejoice with me: Jesus is our precious Savior who bears every burden. He gives us rest. He calls us to take upon ourselves the easy yoke of abiding in and learning from Him.
Why do we so often weigh ourselves down with worry? If we belong to Jesus, He has already set us free. Let us refrain from picking up these burdens that are not ours to bear. Jesus has more than enough strength to carry them - and to carry each of us.
Thank you for being my guest. In God's word you will find rest; Seek Him, be bountifully blessed. 💚
I usually have to lay down my worries multiple times a day. Until recently, I thought it was a sign of my weakness. But now I can see that it is my strength --my weakness is my strength. The less I am to rely on myself, the more I have to rely on Jesus. The less control I have, the more I surrender to Jesus. Less me. More Him.
I was thinking similar thoughts and praying similar things today. Thank you for sharing God’s Word to soothe our maternal anxiety.