Jesus said, “Come to Me and learn of Me…My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
(Matthew 11:28-30)
In my previous entry, I wrote about the “burden” we share or help others to carry, and the “load” that each of us needs to carry. (Galatians 6: 2,5) This picture made me smile, because it reminded me of myself. In the summer after graduating from college, I went on a trip for several weeks. I chose to use a backpack, rather than a rolling suitcase. After my first flight, and the effort it took to get where I was staying, I quickly realized my “load” was definitely too heavy! I immediately boxed up several non-essentials, and shipped them home.
It isn’t always easy to know and implement the appropriate boundaries, of how much to do or “carry” for someone else vs. recognizing what the specific obligation or responsibility God has given each of us to carry ourselves. In my own journey of processing these questions, I realized a few important principles which I want to summarize. The principles: Resist, Reclaim, Receive.
Resist “Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” As believers and followers of Christ, we need to understand and adhere to the important truth, that the enemy of our souls seeks to “steal, kill, and destroy” all that is good, and obedient to God. Until we resist him, using the Scriptural truths we learn in Ephesians and in James (Ephesians 6: 10-18; James 4:7), we will struggle, be easily deceived and become increasingly discouraged! It is like adding ‘rocks’ in your backpack.
Reclaim When Jesus was tempted by Satan, following His 40 days in the wilderness, He used Scriptures as the means by which Satan could not defeat Him; then Satan “left and waited for an opportune time.” (Luke 4:13) If we don’t “reclaim” the areas of our lives that are particularly vulnerable to discouragement and potential defeat (this comes through repentance and receiving Christ’s forgiveness and cleansing -- 1 John 1:9), we enable the enemy to “wait for an opportune time” to once again try and defeat us. Dr. Jim Logan’s book Reclaiming Surrendered Ground (Moody Press 1995) further explains and addresses this principle. A simple analogy would be to “clean house”, spiritually speaking. Psalms 139:23-24 are good verses to pray back to the Lord, that He would search our hearts and see if there is any grievous thing, so that we may be cleansed and forgiven. It may mean addressing unresolved disputes or conflicts in relationships, making “right” whatever needs to be corrected, including offering forgiveness! Many wise Christian leaders teach that unresolved issues are a heavy ‘weight’ we carry within ourselves.
Receive God promises to “heal the brokenhearted, and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Isaiah 61:1 NKJV). If it is wisdom you seek, He is faithful to give it. (James 1:5) If it is comfort, or peace, or assurance, He is faithful! (2 Corinthians 1:3-4; Philippians 4:6-7). We exchange our brokenness for His wholeness and healing. Our confusion for His wisdom. Our loneliness for His presence. Our emptiness for His infilling and fulfillment!
I close with the familiar and very important promises:
Matthew 6: 33-34 “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (v.33)
Matthew 7: 7-11 “Ask and it shall be given to you, seek and you will find, knock and it will be opened to you.” (v.7)
Psalms 61:1-4 “From the end of the earth I will cry to You, When my heart is overwhelmed; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. 3 For You have been a shelter for me, A strong tower from the enemy. 4 I will abide in Your [a]tabernacle forever; I will trust in the shelter of Your wings.” (NKJV)
Dear Lord, In times when we are troubled, overwhelmed, hurting, or in sorrow, be our Comforter and our Healer! Bring Your healing and peace into our hearts and lives! Help us then, to be able to comfort others You bring into our lives, when they need a word of encouragement! You promise that Your burden is light. May we be discerning to know just what we need to carry, and what we need to leave up to You! May we make You our shelter and abide in You! In Your precious name, we pray! Amen.
