Walking By Faith | He Will Carry Our Burdens

"We can easily manage if we will only take, each day, the burden appointed to it. But the load will be too heavy for us if we carry yesterday's burden over again today, and then add the burden of the morrow before we are required to bear it."  - John Newton, English evangelical Anglican cleric (1725-1807)

Troubles, hardships, adversities, suffering, and anxieties are common to all in this temporal life. What's more, when these situations arise, we have a natural tendency to be unrealistic about our capabilities and disregard our inabilities towards them.

No one is immune, no one escapes them. Given that they are recurring and unavoidable, it's obvious that we need help handling them. In short, we need God! Before anything else, however, there are some things which we must concur.

We must be unassuming and meek enough to appreciate that we are not God! He is Omnipotent, Omniscient, and perfectly well-suited to address and resolve our difficulties or problems effectively, whatever they might be.

Thankfully, we can humbly cast (throw) our cares on Him because of his sincere concern and heartfelt compassion for us. Isn't that a wonderful blessing? We don't have to shoulder our burdens alone, God has shoulders big enough to handle them.

Does this mean that the source of our anxieties will be eliminated? Not exactly. Remember, in order to grow and mature as a believer, we must be tested from time to time. And while our lives may not be trouble-free, God helps make things easier (1 Peter 1:7; James 1:2-4).

Let's look at some examples that emphasize the impact of trusting divine strength and wisdom as opposed to human knowledge and endeavors. Casting burdens on God is very evident in the OT. 

For instance, Psalm 55:22 underscores the assurance that God will support those who trust in Him, while providing strength and encouragement during such difficult times. 

Isaiah 41:10 shows the prophet addressing the theme, reassuring the worn out and oppressed. In this verse, God promises His presence and cooperation, inspiring believers to depend on His strength.

Shifting over to the NT, Jesus Christ calls his followers to transfer their worries and problems to Him in Matthew 11:28-30. This passage demonstrates His kindness and meekness in offering respite and comfort to those burdened by trials.

Peter expresses the same view in 1 Peter 5:7. His decree emphasizing God's thoughtfulness and consideration for His people, motivating them to trust their anxieties to Him.

The bottom line is that God doesn't want us to be burdened with the troubles and challenges of life. He truly cares for us and guarantees relief for any who come to Him. We are directed to put our faith in the Lord and not ourselves (Proverbs 3:5).

Philippians 4:6-7 tells us how to do this. Giving our burdens to God includes both prayer and trust. The transformative power of prayer is underscored here, which not only expresses our concerns to Him but generates serenity and the peace of God.

Scripture: Psalm 62:8; Psalm 68:19; Jeremiah 23:36; Matthew 6:27; Hebrews 12:1

Prayer: "Dear Lord, I seek your help with my anxieties and apprehensions. I give you my life, my hopes, my past, my future, and all of my troubles. In You I trust. Amen." 

Sincerely with the Grace of God,

Sloane