As it is Independence Day tomorrow, I have decided to spend the next few days on the freedoms that have been given to us from God. Follow along throughout the week.  I am planning to cover Freedom from Burdens, Freedom from Sin & Death, Freedom from Worldly Priorities, Freedom from Guilt and Shame, and Freedom from Worry and Fear.  If you want to be the first to know when the posts have been published, just fill out your name and email to get on my mailing list.

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Freedom from Burdens

One of the freedoms that I need a bit of help accepting right now is, Freedom from Burdens.

In today’s world, it seems like we are bombarded from every side.  Whether it be our jobs, families, friends, or everything else, we can feel the weight on our shoulders. That’s when God tells us to give our burdens to Him.  He can handle what we can’t.

I have been struggling with some pain in my back and have been somewhat limited in what I have been able to do around the house.

Since Brad works so hard outside the home to provide for our family, I have considered it my duty to take care of all things inside the home.  So, when my back started protesting and really limiting what I have been able to do, I have been feeling pretty guilty about not holding up my end of the bargain.

Now, Brad would never be upset with me for not keeping up with the house because I have back problems. But, I feel like I have added to his load.  Now, not only does he leave in the morning and work a full day, he comes home and also takes care of us at night.

While I am not thrilled that at this moment I am not able to take care of what I used to be able to take care of, I need to let go of the burden of trying to do it all even when I am broken.

So, that reminds me of a scripture in Matthew that cycles through my brain pretty regularly…

Promises of Freedom from Burdens

In Matthew, Jesus promised rest for the weary.  He was talking about burdens and how we should handle them.

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.                    Matthew 11:28-29 NIV

Jesus knew people were struggling.  They were trying to find their way, but they were burdened with sin and struggling in their search for God.

 

In Psalm 55, David was struggling with being hurt by a friend. Since he was having a hard time dealing with it on his own, he wrote –

Cast your cares on the Lord
and he will sustain you;
he will never let
the righteous be shaken.                         Psalm 55:22 NIV

Again, David wrote of God’s helping to bear our burdens, here –

The Lord lifts the fallen those bent beneath their loads.                Psalm 145:14 LAB

 

God made the following promise in Isaiah –

I will be your God through all your lifetime, yes, even when your hair is white with age, I made you and I will care for you, I will carry you along and be your Savior.                     Isaiah 46:4

 

How comforting is that? If I hadn’t wanted to put down my burdens and take on His yoke before, that verse alone would encourage me to do it now.

These promises are wonderful, but how can God offer this type of freedom?

How can God Free Us from Our Burdens?

He wants to and He can.  It’s as simple as that.

These verses tell us His intentions.  They are God’s promises to us.  All we need to do is thank Him for his generosity, trust Him to take the burdens away, and hand them all over to Him.

Easier said than done, perhaps, but can you even imagine what that would feel like??

What a load off our shoulders…

We know He is powerful enough.  He is certainly capable of handling our problems.

Truly, it should be a no-brainer.

So, why do we resist?  Why do we feel we must maintain our grip on all of these things over which we have no real control?

For me, it’s because my sinful nature wants to take over. I want to be able to handle everything I think I should be able to…I want to feel like I can still bend over and pick up the dirty sock off the floor… I want to be in control.

Now, I realize my letting Brad clean the house is not on the same level as giving God my burdens, but it involves the same action.  I need to let go, and I need to trust that everything will be taken care of.  Because, right now, at this moment, I can’t do it all myself.

I can’t and God can.  He wants to.  And, I have to let Him.  Because He can do it infinitely better than I could ever hope to.

Now what?

We let go.  Give our burdens to God as He can handle them.  He’s got us and He will give us rest.

The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup;
you hold my lot.                           Psalm 16:5

Your thoughts?

What do you think about giving our burdens to God?  What have your experiences been?  I would love to hear what verses you have found that have helped you with this freedom.  I can’t wait to hear from you all!