No matter where we are in life, we all have something in common. We pick up issues or burdens along the way. Some have used the cliche—life happens.
Sometimes we just don’t want to deal with the issues that arise, so we pack them away. We do not tell anyone our secrets, and heaven forbid we talk about it with God. Like He can’t possibly know what is going on, right?
As we stuff these burdens away, it’s like we’re packing rocks of various sizes in backpacks. Our rocks may be:
- financial issues
- aging and/or ill parents
- a wayward child
- marital problems
- difficult coworkers
- a bad medical report
- injury of a loved one
- issues at school
- a friend’s betrayal
- loss of a loved one
- custody battles
- guilt from past choices
- fear of the future
. . .and this list can go on. And we just keep stuffing these things away in our emotional baggage. Not only do we stuff these burdens in our bags, but then we decide we need to carry them with us throughout the day.
But as we take our packs with us, we are weighed down. We become less effective and act in ways that becomes a hindrance in our lives. Someone’s innocent question may irritate us. We become angry at the mundane. Self-destructive thoughts fill our minds. An unhealthy desire to be alone manifests. Depression sets in. We make unnecessary purchases that leads to debt.
Bottom line, when we carry our burdens, not only are we self-destructive, but we impede on the lives of others around us.
Thank God, we do not have to carry these burdens around with us.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, we must get rid of every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and run with endurance the race set out for us” (Hebrews 12:1 NET).
We are to get rid of these weights that slow down our race. Where? We take them to the cross. Set them there where the blood of Jesus covers them. Then walk away – free from our sins!
Friends, at the cross throw off those weights you packed. This race we run with the Lord requires perseverance and we won’t be able to endure unless we drop those weights.
© 2014 Shonda Savage
