Letting Jesus bear your burdens

Grantspastor · 09-30-2010, 08:16 PM

A few years ago I was going through a heart-wrenching and difficult problem...they happen when you're a Pastor. Well-meaning people who are trying to help offer advice such as "let God bear your burdens". By that they mean..."don't worry and fret about it".

Sounds good, but practically I've never had much success at just turning off all the worry and fearful emotions that flood over you in times of crisis or pressure.

On this particular occasion I was in anguish, and didn't really see a way through the problem. As I was walking out of the house toward my car one afternoon I heard the (inaudible) voice of God as clearly as I have ever heard it, saying "cast your care on Me because I care for you".

I stopped in my tracks and said "how?"....meaning how do you cast your care on the Lord? How do you let the Lord bear your burdens? For me it just doesn't work to "let go, and let God"...in the sense that I could somehow just quit thinking about it and fretting about it. It takes a better man than me to just turn all the pain and worry off.

His answer was "just start praying about it". So I did. It works. Praying about it will make you feel better. Maybe everyone else already understands this...but for me it was a revelation. Praying about it made me feel better and stronger. The problems might not just go away...the answers might not come right away....but praying about it makes you FEEL better right away. That's how we let Jesus bear our burdens. I felt to post this tonight. I hope it helps someone

CGRFish · 10-01-2010, 06:31 AM

Thank you for this posting... I've always struggled with just letting things go, and the past few days the pressure has been building way too much, and I havent been giving the issues to God by praying. In our friday morning mens group this morning we talked about almost the same thing, and then I get to the office and check Ifish, and find your post. Whereas I left the house seriously stressed out, I'm now feeling much more of a calm. Prayer and faith is the answer. Thanks again for the post -it was exactly what I needed and when I needed It - amazing how God works...

gonfishenagin · 10-01-2010, 08:51 AM

Thank you. I too struggle with prayer and Giving up my problems to the Lord. I pray about things and then go right back to my worries.

jokester · 10-01-2010, 10:14 AM

Excellent post, GP!!

I too struggle with "letting it all go" most of the time. I think we all do (whether we'll admit it or not

)

-jokester

Luna · 10-01-2010, 03:55 PM

I appreciate your honesty. I've struggled all my life with worry and anxiety. I was listening to a sermon a couple of weeks ago and the speaker was describing the terrible day he'd been having. He found over and over again that he had to apply truth to the temptations he kept facing: "I am dead to sin because I'm alive in Christ." It struck me that the anxiety I frequently struggle with is a sin. That Jesus said "Don't be anxious." When I apply the words : I am dead to sin and alive in Christ the anxiety dissipates. I hope someone else can find the same freedom I've found.

feisty's wife · 10-02-2010, 07:17 AM

This is what the "Encouragement" post was about.

shinnookums · 10-02-2010, 04:01 PM

Great post! Prayer strengthens our faith by making it more personal.

feisty's wife · 10-07-2010, 01:12 PM

Thnx...I need that

Cliff D. · 10-08-2010, 05:23 AM

Can't be emphasized enough, the power of prayer. Thanks for the reminder that we all struggle with the same feelings and emotions.
We bottle things up inside and they build 'till we think we're the only one that is going through something. Many don't like sharing their troubles with others, but God always listens.

CGRFish · 10-08-2010, 10:26 AM

This thread really has had me thinking... I spend time each morning praying, but this has made me realize I'm good at praying for other people and their needs, but I'm not good at all about praying for the things that are burdening me. Jesus wants my burden, and I need to share it with him...

STRUTTIN-1 · 10-11-2010, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gonfishenagin

Thank you. I too struggle with prayer and Giving up my problems to the Lord. I pray about things and then go right back to my worries.

Wow I do the same thing.One of the things the Lord gave me that I wish he wouldnt have.I know some people that can and it amazes me.I try so hard but it always comes back.So I pray more.It comes back faster.Maybe it is having so many burdens at once.Last night I decided not to pray about my problems but the problems our world has.Slept great.But stressin again this am.Wow I cannot believe I just said this.I will hit submit before I change my mind.

Drifterman · 10-11-2010, 07:08 PM

I sometimes forget that I am not the provider for my little family. The pressure of being the provider is too much for me and I fail every time I try to step in front of God. These are kinda hard times for a lot of people and sometimes I dont know how I will make ends meet, but we keep tithing and God keeps providing. Bottom line for me is that I trust in Jesus more than I trust myself and he never fails me, ever. Thank you for your transparency I appreciate that in other men of God.

Sir Chumsalot · 10-23-2010, 10:50 PM

Reminds me of an old hymn we used to sing in Sunday school long ago called "What a friend we have in Jesus" written way back in 1855 by a fellow named Joseph Scriven. It goes something like this,

What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!

And there are a few more versus but if we could just really, really learn from these words life would be easier for all of us.