Let God handle your burdens

Did you ever get in such a place that everything just didn't seem to work out?

I forgot an appointment. I accidentally dropped a bowl of oatmeal and it went all over the kitchen. A cat slept on top of our car and scratched it trying to get off when I scared him.

Those are little things, but when a loved one is ill or a serious problem brings on a big stressful situation, we need a rest.

The Bible tells us there is a rest for the people of God. I have found in Hebrews chapters three and four a solution. Each of us can "rest" in the Lord.

There are times when life's difficulties are overwhelming and we try to work it out or sweat it out on our own. We can only come to the point where we say, "God, I can't handle this. This burden is too big and too heavy. Yet you are my burden bearer. You are the strength of my life. You have told us to cast all of my burdens onto you."

I must truly say and mean it in my heart that I will rest in the Lord.

If I can truly trust my life into his keeping then I will enter into his rest and peace will come.

"Give your worries to the LORD, and he will take care of you. He will never let good people down," (Psalm 55:22, NCV).

Let's look at the alternative: Worry, anxiety, sleepless nights, "what ifs," rehearsals of agitation and misery has not helped anything.

The Israelites wandered around for 40 years wavering in doubt and unbelief. God said in Hebrews 4:11, "Let us do our best to go into that place of rest, too, being careful not to disobey God as the children of Israel did, thus failing to get in."

An unrest state of mind wrecks havoc upon our bodies. It ages the body prematurely. A troubled mind opens the door to debilitating illnesses in the human body.

To us ladies unrest even causes wrinkles.

Our bodies are fearfully and wonderfully made. "I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well," (Psalm 139:14, KJV).

Who knows more about them than the Creator who made them? He knew there would be times we could not carry on an overload. God has made provisions for everything we will ever need in this life and that includes giving our burdens to him and then resting in him.

Whatever situation you find yourself in today, know dear reader, this one thing: God has not forgotten you. He loves you with an everlasting love. His love for you is as far as the east is to the west and east and west never meet.

To "rest" in the Lord means to completely abandon yourself into his keeping.

Relax in him.

Rest in the Lord!

Portales resident Joan Clayton is a retired teacher and published author. Her e-mail address is: [email protected]