There are times when life feels heavy.
When I stumble under the burden of whatever it is that I’ve assumed responsibility for.
To walk through each day seems a hardship.
There was a season a few weeks back in which life seemed hard, the burden heavy.
I dragged myself out of bed after the weekend to get the daily workout done. Even though the conditioning and strength piece were super light and not too demanding, every single thing felt so very heavy. One of my sister friends kindly asked “Hey, you doing OK? You seem pretty down this morning.”
I’ve learned the value of candid honesty in matters like this; I immediately say “Actually, my very soul is feeling heavy. Just like all these weights we were lifting this morning. I’m having a hard time parenting the kids right now, there is a ton of preparation to be done in transitioning Joseph to homeschool again, Emily has an upcoming surgery and an unusual cyst on her chest. Joseph needs evaluations and referrals for about ten different things right now and I also feel like the Women’s bible study is dying and I don’t know what to do about it.”
She graciously heard me out and simply offered words of genuine care.
While walking out to my car afterward, Holy Spirit spoke to my heart with profound clarity.
“This heaviness that you’re feeling is not from me because My yoke is easy. My burden is light.”
I jerk to a stop in the middle of the parking lot.
“Say what, God? You mind tellin’ that again?”
He did, and wow. Truth bomb.
It was like someone took hold of my shoulders, rotated my body to face a new direction and set me on a different path.
Jesus states in Matthew:
Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me – watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.
Matthew 11:28-30 The Message
I hear this, God. I am carrying weight that isn’t mine to carry. I must systematically go through my list and verbalize each one, giving them to you one at a time. Relinquish any fear, doubt or responsibility of outcome.
His yoke is easy.
His burden is light.
There is a rest when yoked to Jesus. Circumstances may not change; difficulty and hard things may yet abound. But there is a rest of the soul to be had in spite of circumstances.
Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. God does not lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on his children.
This is when that yoke is easy, the burden light.
The power of these words has sustained me for the past six weeks; His word is alive and continues to grow, changing us day by day.
What heaviness is hanging on your neck right now?
Is there a weight pressing on your shoulders?
Stop.
Consider.
Ask Holy Spirit to help you identify the heavy.
Verbally relinquish that weight to Jesus who has already borne our grief and sorrows.
Come to me. I will refresh your life, for I am your oasis… You will find refreshment and rest in me.
Matthew 11:28-29 TPT