We all have burdens that we carry. Some burdens are so heavy that they tend to overwhelm and weaken whoever is carrying them. Our Lord Jesus understands that, so in Matthew 11: 28-30, He said this: “Come to Me, all you 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.” He instructs us to take His yoke upon us instead of whatever we are currently carrying. His yoke is saving, healing and restoring mankind to fellowship with the Father. In other words, when we put aside our issues and instead help others get connected with God, that is where we begin to experience rest for our souls. Something happens when we become selfless like Jesus. Most people are selfish and are only interested in what they could get from others. However, when we take on Jesus’ yoke, and begin to minister to others, even when we are experiencing issues of our own, we will see how God will set others free through our sacrifice of service, and in the process, God will give us the peace that passes understanding. We will begin to experience rest from our issues and challenges. The joy of the Lord will well up within us as we see others helped and delivered through our actions and prayers. Take His yoke upon you. Learn from Him, and watch how divine rest, peace and joy will fill your soul.

Change is not easy. It requires that we confront ourselves and admit that we need change in the areas that are challenging us. It could be a habit. It could be a reality we need to embrace that we have been denying. If we do not admit to ourselves that we need to change, our hearts will continue to bring it to our attention, which will cause us continual grief. The Lord Jesus taught that it is necessary to repent, and ask for forgiveness. The word repent means: to feel contrition and regret. It also means to change one’s mind and lifestyle. This means that we have to look into our hearts and admit and realize that there are things in our hearts that need changing. We can deny it all we want. We can go to parties and laugh and celebrate all day long. However, at the end of the day, the grief and guilt that you are carrying will remain in your heart. The writer of the Book of Hebrews in chapter 3, verses 7&8 counseled us on the importance of listening to the Holy Spirit’s instructions: “Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: “Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.” Allow the Holy Spirit to soften your heart and mind today, so that you can embrace the needed changes in your life that will bring life, joy and peace. Above all, embrace the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord. He will help you to deal with all of the changes that you need to embrace, and He will clean your heart and soul from everything that has caused you grief and despair!

Proverbs 14: 13 – Laughter can conceal a heavy heart, but when the laughter ends, the grief remains.

Tag: Heavy

Take His yoke instead!

You can hide it but it’s still there!