Something I have had to learn over this last year is the difference between burdens and loads. I was a codependent person. I carried the burdens of others because I believed I was the source of their burdens. I tried to balance on my plate the responsibilities God had given me with the burdens of others.
Loads are the responsibilities God gives us. It can be motherhood, fatherhood, providing for a family, protecting a family, church ministry, a job, etc. Burdens, on the other hands, are the loads of other people you try to put on your plate.
Pastor Adrian Rogers explains this really well. We all have a truck bed. That truck bed has a certain weight limit. When we exceed that weight limit we subject ourselves to being worn down physically and emotionally. Our trailer begins to come a part. God gives us a specific load and expects us to carry our load.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28
Jesus said, let me carry your burdens. This past week my heart has been so sad and heavy. There is a situation I can do nothing to stop or change. It brought up so much sadness for my family and for the salvation of another. It breaks my heart to watch someone else’s degradation cause so much pain and suffering. I was reminded this week that I can not take on that burden for someone else. I have to give it to Jesus to carry for me.
God’s Word is full of promises when for when our hearts are broken and the people we love and care about are in the midst of pain and suffering. WHat do we do when others are suffering or in pain? What about our own pain and suffering? What do we do with these life situations?
The easy answer is let Jesus carry them and it, but how?
#1 Cast
In the verses above the word “cast” is a word that means to throw something forcefully in a direction. It takes intention and force to throw a ball to another person. Jesus wants us to intentionally commit our burdens to him. We do not come to him shy, we intentionally decide to give him our burden.
#2 God cares!
Jesus wants to carry your burdens for you! When we hurt, he hurts! This is where we get empathy from. Empathy comes from Christ to care and have concern for ourselves and others. But we do not emphasize alone! He is right there with us and he says, Let me carry this for you! Together we will walk this path.
7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 1 Peter 5:7
#3 Know and Believe
Know you are going to be ok because God is going to sustain you and care for you the entire way! You are going to make it through this hard time because he is with you. Your friend, family member or coworker is going to make it through this time. God is not going to allow the righteous to be moved or shaken.
22 Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. Psalm 55:22
#4 Commit it to Prayer
Talk to your heavenly Father about it. He does not want those ritualistic prayers. He opens his throne room for you to come before him and be honest. Be real. There is no sense in coming in pretending like life is amazing and wonderful. He wants the real us. There are times, my heart is so sad all I can do is stand before him with tears running down my face and I cannot even speak. Thankfully the Holy Spirit is there to intercede.
Other verses I rely on to get me through tough times and to always remember to cast my anxiety, worry and burdens on Christ:
Not God’s Will: It is not God’s will for us to be crushed under the weight of heavy burden.
6 Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Isaiah 58:6
God will Help you:
13 For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee. Isaiah 41:13
He Cares: Just knowing he cares for us, can be a powerful promise in our lives. What I care about he cares about.
6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7
He will Carry you: the good shepherd will carry you and your burdens!
11 He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young. Isaiah 40:11
Like all of our discipleship journey, it takes practice! Learn to cast your cares upon Jesus. He wants to carry your burdens and walk with you! He cares and brings comfort!
It Starts Small 
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