Burdens
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We all know what it is like to feel “burdened”. But what do we do with the burdens? Some days it can feel our emotions and thoughts are as a weight so heavy it’s as if something is pressing hard against our chest or that there are two invisible hands squeezing our head. Or, as if our heart will literally fall out of our body and land at our feet. Sometimes we can’t identify why we feel heavy but the smallest of things can open the floodgates of tears and we’re not sure why. Our first instinct is to run to friends or counselors and bare our soul, putting our burdens out there in the hopes someone else will help us hold them. But what does God tell us to do with burdens and how do we apply those instructions in our day-to-day life?
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ISAIAH 53 (speaking of the Messiah – Jesus) …He was not well-formed or especially handsome; we saw him, but his appearance did not attract us. People despised and avoided him, a man of pains, well acquainted with illness. Like someone from whom people turn their faces, he was despised; we did not value him.
PSALM 55:22 [CJB] Unload your burden on Adonai, and He will sustain you.
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PSALM 35:4 [CJB] …for my iniquities loom high over my head as a heavy burden, too heavy for me…my anguished heart makes me groan aloud.
PSALM 55:22…[TPT] So here’s what I’ve learned through it all: Leave all your cares and anxieties at the feet of the Lord, and measureless grace will strengthen you.
PSALM 55:17 [TPT] Every evening I will explain my need to him. Every morning I will move my soul toward him, and he will hear and respond to my cry.
What does it mean to "unload your burden"? How does one do that? The Bible is filled with instructions that leave us scratching our head wondering how to apply them. God doesn't always explain - yet the explanation is there. Layered in the words. The words of hte Bible breathe/expand. God says, "SEEK ME", and when we do, He drops understanding into our sould and mind. When we truly get quiet before God and humbly ask from our heart, "help me. I don't understand", He shows up. The Psalm above is how we find explanation - where we're able to "unload our burdens". We explain our need, from our heart. Even if it's simply asking for help. And in the morning, let God be first on our mind, instead of what burdened us before. What we think about is what grows.
MATTHEW 11:28-30 [AKJV] Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
MATTHEW 11:28-30 [CJB] Come to me, all of you who are struggling and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, because 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 [TPT] Are you weary, carrying a heavy burden? Then come to me. I will refresh your life, for I am your oasis. Simply join your life with mine. Learn my ways and you’ll discover that I’m gentle, humble, easy to please. You will find refreshment and rest in me. For all that I require of you will be pleasant and easy to bear.
We come to to Jesus when we think about Him. Like really have Him on our mind, like we do with a crush or our children. We feel light in our soul vs thinking about situations we can't control, mistakes we can't take back, people who are as sandpaper, or our feelings of rejection. We trade out our thoughts for the words of our Lord. Imagine yourself taking off a cloak or helmet and putting on a different one.
2 TIMOTHY 2:1 [TPT] …live your life empowered by God’s free-flowing grace, which is your true strength, found in the anointing of Jesus and your union with him!
2 TIMOTHY 2:8 [TPT] But make Jesus, the Anointed One, your focus in life and ministry.
Scripture quotations marked (AMP) are taken from the Amplified Bible, Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission; Scripture quotations marked (AMPCE) are taken from the Amplified Bible, Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.; Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org; Scripture taken from the Modern English Version (MEV). Copyright © 2014 by Military Bible Association. Used by permission. All rights reserved.; Scripture quotations marked TPT are from The Passion Translation®. Copyright © 2017, 2018, 2020 by Passion & Fire Ministries, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ThePassionTranslation.com; Scriptures marked CJB are taken from the COMPLETE JEWISH BIBLE (CJB): Scripture taken from the COMPLETE JEWISH BIBLE, copyright© 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. www.messianicjewish.net/ jntp. Distributed by Messianic Jewish Resources Int’l. www.messianicjewish.net. All rights reserved. Used by permission; Scriptures marked NLT are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW LIVING TRANSLATION (NLT): Scriptures taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW LIVING TRANSLATION, Copyright©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Used by permission; Scriptures marked ESV are taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, ENGLISH STANDARD VERSION (ESV): Scriptures taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, ENGLISH STANDARD VERSION ®Copyright© 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission;