Give Your Burdens to God

There is this myth floating around that God will not give us more than we can bear. People often spout this out to family and friends in times of heartache and distress. And, I know they mean well, but nowhere in the Bible does it say this.

I had someone in my life about 5 years back that had a nervous breakdown. At the time, I could not figure out what had been so horrible in this person's life, that it would cause them to have a nervous breakdown. Now I understand. I also now know that God does indeed put a mighty heavy burden on us at times. And, sometimes it is more than one person can bear. Or, actually, as I think on it, it may not necessarily be God, but the devil. Either way, God does allow these heavy burdens from time to time. He uses these times of trial and hardship to teach us—they are an opportunity to grow and learn. If you believe and trust in Him, he makes beauty from ashes. (See Isiah 61:3)

Over a stretch of a number of years, my family and I have been through some significant and enormously stressful and life-changing events. While it may sound crazy to say this, I am now grateful for them because of what they taught me. Without them, I wouldn’t be the person I am today. Without them, I would not have Jesus as the focal point of my life. (At least, I do my best now to have Him as my focal point.) Some of these things I have shared here, and some things I haven't. There have been many times I didn't think I could carry on. But, over this long and taxing journey I have learned two invaluable lessons:

1.  While God does, at times, put an overbearing load on us, He also gives us a way to shed this load - He allows us to give it to Him. Nowhere in the Bible does it say that he will not give us more than we can handle. But, there are lots of places in the Bible where He tells us not to worry and to give our burdens over to Him. He will carry them for us! Isn’t that wonderful and amazing?!  Matthew 11:28–30: “Come to me, all you who are struggling hard and carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest. Put on my yoke, and learn from me. I’m gentle and humble. And you will find rest for yourselves. My yoke is easy to bear, and my burden is light.” (See also: Psalm 55:22, Isaiah 4:13, 1 Peter 5:6,7, Isaiah 46:4, and Psalm 34:17, among others.)
   
2. God also puts people in our lives who can help us with our burdens. I am grateful for the many friends and family who have listened to me, hugged me, prayed for me, and just been there. Many of you probably don't even realize that you have helped me, but you have. Your posts on Facebook, your comments, your likes, sharing cute and funny stories and pictures and words of encouragement - they have all played a part, and I can't thank you enough. Galatians 6:2: “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
   

While I know some of you don't believe the same way I do, or even believe in God at all, that is ok. I love you all anyway. God says, "Judge not, least ye be judged yourself." (See Matthew 7:1)

Plus, I think it is important to accept people the way they are and not push your beliefs on anyone. I wouldn't want anyone doing that to me. But, that is not to say that I won't tell people about our amazing God, or that I won't make it known how I feel about Him. I will sing His praises until I die. And I hope those of you who don't know God or believe in Him, will ask me about Him. I also hope and pray that people will see God through me, that I will do and say the right things and do His work here on earth. Maybe then those of you who don’t believe in God, will start to believe in Him.

So, anyway, I have come to realize that I have so many amazing, supportive family and friends. You are all my brothers and sisters in Christ. I thank each and every one of you from the bottom of my heart.

I am still on my faith journey, but I have taken enormous strides these last few years. If you put your trust in God and give Him your worries, and you are lucky enough to have the love and support of family and friends, you can get through anything!