Hello Friends,
For the past several days my spirit has been feeling heavy, almost like I am filled with burdens. I have tried to ignore it as I didn’t really understand where they were coming from or what they were even about. My ignoring them did not help, in fact it made my heart even more heavy. The answer is I needed to seek God and ask Him about them. Not only would He know what was going on inside my heart, I knew that He would help me push through it.
Tough Days
Some days are harder than others and we all have times in our lives where there is something that is bringing us down. It may be difficulties at work, long hours and days full of stress. For some it is related more to our relationships; we had a fight with our spouse/significant other or friend. The children aren’t behaving and the dog is failing obedience school. It could be about your health or the health of someone who you love deeply. It isn’t even the end of the month and your wallet is looking rather empty and your cupboards are becoming bare. Burdens can come in the form of work issues, difficult relationships, financial difficulties, medical conditions, emotional stress and family responsibilities. These are just a few of the pressures in life that can weigh heavily on us.
Burdened
Today I feel heavy – burdened – sad – cast away and cast out. My heart is hurting and I have tears streaming down my face. I am feeling tired, physically and emotionally. My feelings are overwhelming me and I feel guilty for feeling so overwhelmed. Brokenness has become a constant companion. This brokenness is not a “bad thing”, as God is using it to heal me. However, the brokenness can be rather uncomfortable at times. Can you relate?
Pressures
There are days that I feel “pressure”. These can be pressures – to conform, to have it all together, to do all things and all in the proper ways. Pressure to be perfect and to meet others (as well as my own) expectations. My brain keeps swimming with irrational thoughts that want to consume me. There are mighty waves of fear, insecurities and doubt that crash about and effect the rest of my being. These burdens almost paralyze me and they delay me from moving forward. Can you relate?
Surrender Your Burdens
Then I hear a sweet soft voice amongst the crashing thoughts in my brain:
“Be still. Surrender to Me. I will see you through this time. Lay your burdens down for they were never meant for you to carry. Do not fear, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed. I will comfort you and I will give you rest. “
Jesus understands. He knows the human condition as he walked on this earth and witnessed people suffering every day. Jesus ministered to those that were suffering, whether it be from medical issues to emotional issues and everything in between. He gave comfort, grace and love to those who were heavily burdened.
When He ascended up to heaven, he sent down the Holy Spirit to live within us. The Holy Spirit was given to us in order to guide us and comfort us. Jesus Himself is at the right hand of the throne, interceding on our behalf with God, our Father. God gifted us with His precious book — the Bible. I lovingly call it my instruction book for life. There are so many golden nuggets that I have stored in my heart from this gift of love.
What is God’s Word Saying to Me Today?
“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. “ ~~ Matthew 11:28-30 NIV
”Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” ~~ Philippians 4:6-7 NIV
”Casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully].” ~~ 1 Peter 5:7 AMP
”For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you” ~~ Isaiah 41:13 NIV
”Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.” ~~ Psalm 119:105 AMP
Prayer
Father God, I come to You with a heavy heart. I am feeling broken and confused. These burdens that I am carrying are overwhelming me and I am almost paralyzed from it. I bring to you my burdens. You know my situation (you can name your burdens to God). I know that I am not in control of people, places or things and I relinquish trying to be in control.
Forgive me for holding on to things that were never meant for me to carry. Only You are able to help me. I lay my burdens down and I give them over to You. I ask that You will heal my heart and quiet my mind. May Your Spirit comfort me and give me rest. I pray that You will lead and guide me and give me the strength and courage that I need to press forward. Equip me for all that You have called me to do. Remind me of who I am in You and forgive me for trying to conform to others expectations and even my own. I know that I am not able to do all things and be all things.
May You give me Your grace as I know that it is sufficient for me and that Your power is made perfect in my weakness. I love you Jesus and desire to honor You with my life. Thank You for Your Word and for Truth as it is the only thing that can set me free.
In Jesus’ Name ~~~ Amen
Be Encouraged
I want to encourage you to lay down your burdens and then leave them with the Lord. We are often tempted to pick them back up and go about our day. You may have to pray the above prayer multiple times, possibly even multiple times a day. Keep seeking God and keep laying the burdens down, peace will come.
Have you been holding on to burdens that were never meant for you to carry? Are you willing to lay them down?
If you have some time, please leave a comment. I would love to pray for you.
Be Blessed 💞💞💞
This was exactly what I needed. These past few months have been extremly hectic. There have been so many changes within my day to day routine, that sometimes I feel overwhelmed. I am thankful for God’s grace and mercy. For I know without that, i would be completely broken.
Change in our life can be so very stressful. We are blessed to know that we have somewhere to turn when we feel overwhelmed. Blessings to you friend. Praying for peace for you. 💞💞
I’ve been holding on to the burden of my failing marriage. Yes I play a major part of why my marriage has failed. I understand I wasn’t the wife I need to be & played my role properly at one point in time. We’ve both done wrong. But I do struggle with my realities I’m facing right now. My children are hurt over this. As I’ve got closer to God I understand what I’ve done wrong on my part. I have repent & ask for Gods forgiveness. As for my husband he has given up all hope & talks about divorce several times these last couple of years. He tell me that he loves me but struggles & feel that is our only option.
My heart was saddened when I read your comment. Pain is so hard to walk through. One thing that I have learned is that I have absolutely no control over another human being and that I can only answer for myself. I know that when we repent and ask God to forgive us – He is quick to forgive. I pray that you will walk in the forgiveness that you have been given and that you will continue to cultivate your relationship with God. I also ask God to heal your children’s hearts and give them comfort. May He give them everything that they stand in need of. I also lift your husband up to God and pray that God will give him wisdom and direction. May God continue to heal you both and give you what you stand in need off.
Thank you for sharing your heart Rose. I will continue to keep you in my prayers. You are a beautiful child of God and you can do all things in His strength. One of the resources that has helped me and my marriage is a book by stormie omartian — the power of a praying wife. I have utilized it so much that it is falling apart. It has helped me to focus on praying for my husband more and fretting less. As God has changed me through it — my marriage changed. Blessings
Thanks for the post . Really i feel greatness of the God .
I am in the same season of life and it can be SO difficult to lay the burdens that are weighing us down. Thank you for this. The prayer really helped me to put things into perspective and trust in God. His grace is sufficient. Always.
– Rachel, from hearts-not-troubled.blogspot.com
Sometimes I have to let the same thing go over and over again. I am grateful for God’s grace. Blessings to you.