Carrying Burdens?

Carrying burdens is a heavy force to live under.

Two weeks ago, Mark Beeson asked our staff to list all of the things that concern us. The list was long. There are very few concerns in life that we can control. Our attempts to carry them all weigh us down from becoming who God intended us to be.

A few days later, one of our group facilitators, Laura, updated me on her life. "I have grown so much through this session of Turning Point. Once I tried to focus on God more throughout my day, it was so easy! I don't know what I was thinking before that praying to God in the morning would somehow be all I'd need to do? God said his burden is easy - go figure - it is! I'm doin' really well. It's a good place."  

I love when God connects the dots like that for me with two stories on the same topic.

Forced obedience to God or anyone is slavery. God has freed us. Some strive to gain money or respect. Others work to get their emotional needs met. Even the righteous purpose to reach those who don't know they matter to God can become a heavy burden to carry. 

Seems like a really appropriate focus for this entire week on giving thanks and being grateful. I am.

"Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light." Matthew 11:29 - 30

Comments

[Doreen Benavente]

What I was reminded of today is this: I am responsible to be sure my desires are sanctified and within God's purpose for my life. God will always operate within His principles and He wants us to be 'delighted in Him'. If we find ourselves 'fretting' and not being able to rest, we probably are in conflict with the center of His Will for us. God ... Read Morehas our protection in mind and since He sees things from a higher place, I need to be willing to wait for His answers. If I don't give God time . . I don't trust Him. This is a lesson I must learn over and over and over . . .

[Betsey Butler]

I have a business card-sized picture of a shar-pei that sits on top of my computer--the caption is "give your worries to God". Perfect Philosophy.

[Elaine]

Sometimes it's easy for me to say, 'Here you go Father, all my cares & worries I lay at Your feet'; other times, like these past few weeks, I have found myself struggling to lay all my worries at His feet. According to my dad, I have taken on more burden than one should & it is tearing me down.
Funny that 'loosing sleep' was mentioned because I have lost a lot this past week. Guess that tells me it's time for me to allow God to be God & for me to give Him my burdens & trust Him more.

[Debbie Wright]

On my mirror in the bathroom I have a card that reads "Good Morning, This is God! I will be handling all your problems today. I will NOT need your help~ so, have a good day....What I have learned the last couple of months is that no matter what we are going through I truly can't do anything on my own, I NEED God and I am learning to Trust Him more and more and I am allowing Him to Love Me.....

[Elizabeth]

This blog holds just few of many words I needed to read today. I have lost my way, become disconnected, in the last few months of my life. And the words above have help me realize it is because I have rejected God's mercy; instead, I have attempted to carry my burdens alone. It - I - have failed. Today I need to embrace the fact that I am not and cannot be so strong w/o Him..as the written words above say, "Our attempts to carry them all weigh us down from becoming who God intended us to be". God has intended so much greater for me and I must embrace it!!

I appreciate this post!! Thanks God... and you, too, Kathy..