So often, I insist on carrying burdens all on my own. People may offer their help, but I’ll say "No, thanks…I’ve got it". Why? Well, sometimes I truly want to get it myself, sometimes I’m too proud to ask for help and sometimes I honestly don’t want them getting the credit for helping.
I do the same thing with God.
Life can often be so overwhelming that I think I just can’t make it. As a result, I work harder, plan more and get more and more anxious. My first reaction is rarely to ask for help…even from God. The Psalmist would call me foolish:
“Now I will take the load from your shoulders; I will free your hands from their heavy tasks. – Psalms 81:6 (NLT)
Not surprisingly, Jesus Himself said something similar:
Then Jesus said, “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 at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” – Matthew 11:28-30 (NLT)
Neither of these verses say that God will remove the burden. Neither of them imply a care-free, worry-free, burden-free life. But they both say that God Himself will take the burden. He will carry it, lifting it off our shoulders and freeing our hands up to do His work.
All we have to do is come to Him…and ask!
