Weekly Magazine | Give Your Burdens to Jesus
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Put It in My Backpack
By: Jill Briscoe
“Cast your burden on the LORD and He will sustain you” (Psalm 55:22).
When I lost my husband, I found myself re-reading and revisiting some of the lessons that God had taught me a long time ago. As I grieved, they strengthened and comforted me.
I especially remember the time, a few years ago, when Stuart and I were birdwatching in Wisconsin—one of my favorite things to do. We were taking a few days to celebrate my birthday (yes, I still actually have them once a year!), walking the trails in the beautiful forest of our state. That morning Stuart had shouldered his backpack loaded with water bottles, maps, bird books, camera, and so on, but I decided to carry just my binoculars and camera and no extra weight. We set off on that glorious morning and, oh, what a thrill to be alone with each other and with God and His incredible handiwork—and walk, walk, and walk. Joy!
“It is so beautiful, Lord, I see You everywhere,” I said, quietly. “Thank You!” And I remembered it said in the Golden Book: “The invisible things of Him are clearly seen in the things He has made.”
After lunch we set off again, and this time the trail was more isolated and hilly. By now I had accumulated a few items along the way, and my hands were full. (Don’t ask me ‘what things’—you know how we women do that—even in the middle of the forest!) The heavy binoculars got heavier still and the stuff in my hands more cumbersome. Added to that we were walking uphill.
I was dragging.
I walked behind my man and looked at his strong straight shoulders ahead of me, carrying his burden lightly, though his backpack was quite full. Suddenly, as if sensing my fatigue, he turned around, smiled at me, and said gently, “Jill, put it in my backpack.” So, I took all my stuff and put it in his backpack, and we continued to walk the trails. What a relief! What a difference! But my joy was tempered with sorrow.
Stuart turned around to lead up the trail again, and in that moment, standing quite still, I acknowledged that along with all the paraphernalia of a birder, I had been carrying another unseen burden of worry that day. A burden that was spoiling the day and casting a shadow over everything. True, my hands were empty, but my heart was still loaded down with worry—my spirit still dragging up the hills.
“Why don’t you put it in ‘My’ backpack Jill?” the Lord whispered to my heavy heart. And there, walking along that beautiful Wisconsin trail, I did just that! It didn’t mean I didn’t have a burden anymore. It meant that He was carrying it instead of me: just as Stuart had carried all my earthly things—what a difference! The problem hadn’t gone anywhere, but his strong, eternal shoulders were bearing the weight of it. My spirit breathed more easily, and my soul relaxed.
“Joy is faith dancing. Peace is faith resting,” I heard Him say.
Tell me, are you walking the forest trails of life with a heavy weight on your heart?
Is a grievous worry crushing you and spoiling the day?
Put it in His backpack! Right here, right now!
Make yourself a quiet moment now and cast all your cares on Him.
May you be conscious of the fact that you’re not walking the trail alone.
May you find yourself strangely lightened in the spirit.
May ‘tranquility reign.’
All is well.
Bible Verse: Psalm 55:22 (ESV)
"Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved."
Prayer:
Dear Lord, thank You for inviting us to place our burdens on Your strong shoulders. Help us to trust in Your sustaining power and to find comfort in Your care. May our spirits breathe more easily as we rest in Your loving presence, knowing You are with us always. Amen.
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In Moments of Weakness
By: Allison Struber
The continuous headlines about fearless females, superhero moms, and mighty girls are inspiring. I consider myself a strong woman. I am proud of my abilities to overcome challenges with courage, skill, and power. However, lately I've started to question my strength. Most days my coping skills hold strong and I sustain my burdens high in the air. However, there are times when no amount of pep talk, healthy habit, or psychological training offer the strength I need. My muscles buckle and the weights crash down leaving me stunned and weak…
Bible Verse: 2 Corinthians 12:9
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."
Prayer:
Lord, in moments when our strength fails, remind us that Your grace is more than enough. Help us to lean on You and to find power in our weakness through Your perfect strength. May we always remember that You are our refuge and source of true courage. Amen.
That Clingy Burden
By: Connie Fink
What is that burden you are dragging around today? What is clinging to your ankles? What concern is so heavy, so awkward that it’s holding you back, even crushing you? Is it financial anxiety? A burden for a wayward child? Unresolved conflict? Past trauma? A devastating diagnosis? Global fears? What is it? Any one of these can take over your thoughts. Your sleep. Your prayers. Let’s pause and rest for a bit to notice that God sees your burden, and to hear what He says about it…
Bible Verse: Matthew 11:28
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we bring to You the burdens that cling to our hearts and minds. You see each one and understand their weight. Help us to release these concerns into Your care, trusting that You will provide rest and peace. Comfort us with Your presence and guide us through each trial. Amen.
Encouragement for Your Soul
COME TO JESUS (REST IN HIM)
Are you weary, heavy laden?
Come and lay your burdens down
Jesus calls you, Jesus draws you
Rest in Him
He is gentle, He is lowly
He delights to bring us peace
Tender shepherd, mighty Savior
Rest in Him
How sure, His compassion for us
Oh, how deep is His love
So come, come to Jesus
And rest in Him
Are you hopeless? Are you guilty?
Caught in shame for all your sin?
He pursues you, to forgive you
Rest in Him
He has paid for every failure
Mercy flows in endless streams
Come and follow, freedom calls you
Rest in Him
How sure, His compassion for us
Oh, how deep is His love
So come, come to Jesus
And rest in Him
Are you waiting in your sorrows
For this broken world to heal?
He is coming, soon returning
Rest in Him
We will see Him, we will know him
O what heights of grace revealed
From his kindness, every promise
Then fulfilled
O trust in Jesus, He will keep us
To the end
…
Come to Jesus and rest in Him
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Jordan Kauflin / Matthew Sherman Merker
Come To Jesus (Rest In Him) lyrics © Getty Music Publishing, Matthew Merker Music, Jordan Kauflin Music
Matthew 11:28-30
"Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
