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Heavy Burdens
Is the load you are carrying heavy? So heavy it makes your back hurt?
This is Vince Miller.
Our text today is from Matthew 11:28. It reads:
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. — Matthew 11:28
This verse is good news for men who are prone to carry their burdens alone. Men tend to carry around burdens that they were never intended to bear. Every man does this. Some men do it because they have this selfish tendency for self-sufficiency. They have convinced themselves that it is vital to be proficient, popular, or powerful. Still, other men do it because they have been convinced by others that they must be providers, protectors, and problem solvers. Thus whether it’s a weight they place on themselves, or one placed there by others, they bear under a burden that weighs them down.
But the potency of our human will and the perfection of our character are not enough to bear the weight of any burden. This is because our will and character cannot bear this weight. They weren’t designed to because our will and character are feeble and fragile, to begin with.
But we try, don’t we? We try to silently bear the weight of these burdens until we’ve reached our limits. For some, these limits are less, and for others, they are more. But when we hit our limit, we finally feel the weight of it. Then we become overwhelmed and exhausted.
But Jesus offers this incredible invitation.
It’s an invitation that promises relief and rest. But it comes with a requirement. We have to give him our burdens. Those things we have been bearing under must be given to him. But for some, this isn’t easy because there is a subtle satisfaction found in bearing them. At moments they make us feel strong or significant. They feed our selfishness with a dose of accomplishment. But this momentary satisfaction will eventually break a man. And until a man entirely believes that only Jesus can bear these burdens, he won’t hand them over and find the relief he wants and needs.
So today, hand that burden over. It’s pretty easy to identify. It’s that thing you are anxious about. You’ve thought about it many times over the last few hours. It kept you awake last night. It was your first thought this morning. You talked to many others about how to handle it. But you have not handed it over. Whatever it is, believe that you are not designed to bear it. Let Jesus relieve you of it. That’s his job. He is the Savior. And he wants to save you from your burden, small and large, because he is ready and able to give you rest.
You can visit me at vincemiller.com
And live all in for him who lived all in for you.
ASK THIS: Is there something you need to stop and start doing?
DO THIS: Flee. Then pursue.
PRAY THIS: God, increase my distance at twice the speed. Receive my flee and pursuit as a sacrifice to you.
PLAY THIS: I Lift My Eyes.
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I do this often
Sometimes the “AH HA” moments happen later than they should. Thinking of the most impactful panic(s) of my life and the aftermath of they caused for days/weeks/months, generally at my hand, finally sinks in. What worry, pain, panic! They were life consuming. Nothing else could be thought of. Each incident, each panic, worry, heart ache, fear and suffering second was almost life ending. Fast forward to today… When the thought of Jesus the Christ (Perfect, sinless, loving and gentle) taking not only MY BURDENS, born of MY SIN, but Every Sin/Burden of Every Created Man since that first day to every day until he returns, on His Self at the Cross, I Cringe. I AM SO LOVED!!!!!
As A-type personality men, we can be very stubborn. We want to come across as macho, confident, “a man’s man”. Whether it is asking for help doing a project, lifting a heavy object, we sometimes feel if we ask for help, it is a sign of weakness. The same with going through emotional struggles or temptations. I have finally come to realize that at 65yrs old, I have to know my limitations, put pride aside and ask for help regardless of the situation.
Great information. Thank you!
As an addict only about 12 days sober. I know what it is to lay down a burden and a I also know the temptation to pick it up again. Yesterday’s and today’s devotionals go together. Wants you lay that burden down you must pick up the light “yoke” Jesus offers. I think the rest of this section says “you will find rest for your souls for my yoke is easy and my burden light.”
Hang in there Mike! If you continue to open yourself to His love and grace you will be healed!
I agree wholeheartedly, but how do you do this practically? I have often struggled wit how to tell someone to give their burden over to God or cast their anxiety on Him. What does this actually look like to a new believer?
Rich,
I’m sure there are other men with better guidance but still… a new believer may have multiple burdens and though we want to get go of all at once, this may not be practical. Take one at step at a time, confess a burden to a close friend that is more mature than yourself and make him your accountable to this burden in prayer, following up with you, meeting with you and together releasing it… and the next burden… repeat…
as new believer we don’t always have the courage to ask for a discipler/mentor to guide us and I believe that is a down fall in our churches not encouraging such friendship/discipleship.
Find a good christian friend and team up and walk together, have a bless day.
Gonzo
Vince, this hits home. Thanks, J.
Good Morning Vince, O look forward to your message every morning. Have a Blessed Day!
Like picking up sticks and twigs we don’t realize that the sum of carrying burdens grows and grows until one day we finally notice how heavy the total is. “I can handle this”, does come to mind and we do carry it without the thought of, “I am being selfish” in toting a load I was not designed to Sherpa.
My eyes have been opened. Thanks for telling us the Truth.
Man Vince, what a great word for me today. I’ve been trying to lay down my burden and I’ve prayed for it, said it out loud, even cried for help, but I think that your words are true that there is a reason that I can’t shake it. Mine is a feeling of self worth that I just can’t release. A mountain of guilt that I’m just not good enough as a father, as a husband, as a man, as an employee, as a follower of Jesus. I’ve been pleading with our God to take it away and I must confess that no matter how much I know that the enemy can’t take my salvation…. I still allow him to hold ground in the battlefield of my mind
Chet
Very well said Chet, thank you, Amen!
Hi Chet, Stay strong in the word and push on Brother. Ask God to strengthen you and he will provide. If you ever need to talk I am always a phone call away. Love you Brother!
I feel the same Chet. Guilt and shame cause me to hide so much.
You are not alone, stay strong.
Amen Chet. I struggle with releasing my pride every day and am discouraged at the end of the day that I did not do a good enough job at it (another sign of my pride maybe). Vince gave me a new concept today to not only love but be “benevolent” to others. That takes it up a step for sure. Lord God, thank you for my Brother Vince and I pray that Your words that Vince provided to me and others will sink into my mind, body, soul, and strength today so I can serve You Lord in true humility. Amen, amen!
Luke 9:23 If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
The part I want to focus on here is the “daily”. For me sometimes it is more often than that. Try not to be discouraged when you must lay your burden down multiple times. Just keep choosing Jesus. Keep choosing Jesus. Keep choosing Jesus. In the moment. Regardless of the moment behind you or ahead of you. Regardless of the decision, good or bad, that is behind you. Choose Jesus in the moment. In every moment. He will help you sort the rest out. Keep it simple. Just choose Jesus!
Mathew 22:37-40 Thous shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the First and greatest commandment. The second is like unto it. Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the laws and the profits
Just keep loving the Lord. You got this!