Burdened: Life Is Tough

Let’s face it—sometimes life is tough. There are days when things don’t work out like we hope. There are times when it seems like everything is crashing in on us. Our struggles seem to have no end.

Now this statement may shock you, so take a deep breath…prepare yourself. Ready? Here it is: Even Christian people get burdened! I am sure this actually comes as no surprise to you, yet it seems as though we respond from time to time as if we don’t expect difficulties. Maybe we think we are immune to struggles because we are children of God. Surely God will not let His children suffer! Right?

The truth is, God uses trials to teach us, to mold us, to remind us of lessons learned, to develop our character. Psalm 146:8 says, “The LORD lifts the burdens of those bent beneath their loads.” This is great news! God lifts our burdens. The part of this promise that may not seem like great news is the fact that there will be burdens that will need to be lifted!

So if there will be burdens that need to be lifted, how can we best handle these heavy burdens? Here is some advice:

1. Learn to see burdens as a good thing, not simply as a trial.
James says our burdens are an opportunity to celebrate, for these trials test our faith and make us stronger. God knows what He is doing; we need to learn how to trust Him that everything works together for our good. One good thing about trials is that they are like kidney stones…they come to pass! They do not last forever, so take heart.

2. Don’t carry your burdens; let God do that.
Psalm 55:22 instructs us to give our burdens to the LORD, and promises that He will take care of us. Max Lucado wrote, “Don’t measure the size of the mountain, talk to the One who can move it. Instead of carrying the world on your shoulders, talk to the One who holds the universe on His.”

3. Experience the value of a trade-in.
Look at the deal Jesus offers us in Matthew 11:28-30: “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burde
I give you is light.” How exciting! We can trade-in our burdens for His burdens, which He assures us are lighter to carry. What an offer!