Looking back, I honestly don't think I remember a time when my walk with God was not plagued by some kind of a burden. That may sound pessimistic at the outset, but it's just the truth. If you looked back into your own walk with God, you might say the same thing.
Burdens and problems are just a given in anyone's life. That's the condition of this fallen world, and it's just going to be that way.
But that's why the cross is such good news. It serves as a bridge and an open invitation to lay your burdens down at Jesus' feet and let Him deal with them. Psalm 55:22 tells us, "Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved."
God has plans to sustain you, and He also has plans for your burdens as well. Here are three things God has lined up for those burdens that you face today.
1. To Exchange It with His
In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus openly invites us saying, "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."
Jesus' burden definitely did not feel light — the weight of the sin of the whole world. But His attitude to it made it seem light. Jesus wants to give us that character to brave the biggest storms and treat it like a gentle gust of wind. Jesus takes our worries and fears and places in us His storm-proof attitude.
2. To Have It Shared Among Believers
You were never meant to walk this life with God alone. God has given us the gift of earthly relationships for us to benefit from them greatly. One of those benefits is we get to share the burden with others. Galatians 6:2 says, "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."
Who are you walking with towards God now? Are you in a group or community that you can share your burdens with? Who can carry the load with you?
3. To Overcome Them
The final fate of any burden or shame has been set on stone: They will be conquered or have already been conquered by the power of the cross. Victory may not always look like what we would perceive it, but it's there. God has set the victory for you because He has overcome the biggest burden: our sins.
John 16:33 says, "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."
Jesus has overcome the world and every burden that may cause us to worry or doubt, and as long as our faith is in Him He will come through.
