The Weekly Encourager – January 9, 2016 – Burdens and Blessings

Does someone else have an easier life than you do? Would you trade your burden? My friend Anne told me a little story. Imagine that you could take all your pain, sorrows, worries, problems, heartache, and difficult duties and roll them up together into one bundle. Then place your bundle at the foot of the cross of Jesus Christ. Now there's a big pile of everyone's burdens, and you can see what everyone else has to bear. With that new knowledge, would you trade your burden for that of another person? Most people say no. Recall what Galadriel says to Frodo, “This task was appointed to you, Frodo of the Shire. If you do not find a way, no one will.” I was feeling the weight of my load, but after Anne shared her struggles, I saw that both of our bundles are heavy, but we wouldn't exchange them for someone else's bundle of burdens.

Thanks be to God, we do not carry our loads alone. We have “a friend that sticks closer than a brother,” and He is infinitely more capable and experienced at bearing burdens than we are. I've been meditating on Psalm 68:19 “Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden, the God who is our salvation.” (NASB) The ESV says He “daily bears us up,” and the NLT says “each day he carries us in his arms.” This is a beautiful picture of God's loving care for His children. Psalm 55:22 says “Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.” (ESV)

Here's a game for the new year. Make two columns on a page. In one column, list all your burdens; in the other column, list all your blessings. Add to the list day by day as new things come to mind, then at the end of the week (or month), see which is greatest. What's your prediction? I suspect that my list of burdens won't change much in a week's time, or even a year. Most of my burdens are long-term in nature, and I'm sure some will challenge me for all my remaining time on earth. My list of blessings, however, will continue to grow day by day as I read God's Word and see His work in the world. The more I know about Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the more I will see my life from a heavenly perspective. Psychologists agree that we grow to resemble the people who populate our life, so the more time I spend in the company of my best friend Jesus, the more I'll be like Him in every way. That means that praise and thanksgiving will become as natural as breathing in and out. I'll see blessings in every bundle!

Do your burdens feel heavy? Here are a few more good thoughts to wrap around your bundle:

Psalm 62:8 “Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.” (ESV)

Psalm 37:3 “Trust in the Lord and do good; Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.” (NASB)

1 Peter 5:7 “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” (ESV, NLT)

Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (ESV)

Jesus died for you and He loves you, no matter what. Do not let your burdens get so heavy that your heart is closed to God's abundant blessings all around you.

God is faithful,
j