How to Handle Heaviness

While vacationing in Canada the air was refreshing. It wasn’t so obvious until we arrived back home in Florida.
When we gathered our luggage, and exited the airport, we had to inhale deeply. The humidity dangling in the Tampa atmosphere and the excessive heat (even at 11:30 at night), was causing the air to feel weighted and making it difficult to catch our breath.
Holly commented, “The air is sooo heavy! How do non-Floridians come down here and enjoy breathing?”
That got me thinking; I compared the analogy of Holly’s comment to “When people are burdened in life, how do they make it without Jesus?”
Burdens are heavy loads that we have the choice to hang on to and allow its solidity to weigh us down, and eventually tormenting us, or we can lay it at the feet of Jesus and rely on Him to lighten our load.
Yes, people do choose to conceal their problems with alcohol, drugs, becoming a bully or the opposite and being totally submissive to someone or something that isn’t beneficial for them or even become withdrawn. Their solution to denying or delaying or (in their mind) conquering life’s quandaries will not bring glory to God or complete peace in the end.
There’s only One who can bring complete peace and comfort in the midst of trials, and His name is Jesus.
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
Burdens are bound to occur in life. When they do, Jesus desires for us to go to Him and He will give us rest.
Notice in the verses above that our difficult situation may not dissipate completely, but when we call upon the name of The Lord, He will lessen our season in life as we learn from Him in and through the process.
Give your burdens to the Lord, and He will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall. Psalm 55:22
When you do choose to cry out The Savior, give Him your problems.   He’s got the problem and you. You may feel wobbly and weak, but He will not let you fall.
“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
He warned us, but He didn’t leave us empty-handed. God has given us so many instructions in His word as to how to handle life’s problems. Turn those pages in the bible, or click away on your bible app, and find peace and comfort in His word. Remember…He has already defeated this world, so be an overcomer with Him.
So…when you breathe a deep breath, inhale God’s radiance and peace. Feel the heaviness of the world dispelling from you.
Blessings to you and yours. Love, Stephanie
Addendum:

Before I hit the “publish” button on my computer, my handy-man came in to say good-bye. We sat down, as I was writing him a check, and he proceeded to tell me about his girlfriend of twelve years and what happened to her. He said, “I guess you heard about my girlfriend.” I shook my head and told him that I hadn’t. He informed me that she hung herself last Thursday.

My heart sank. Talk about choosing to solve your problems on your own.

I was able to give testimony about a suicide that occurred in my family and how we totally leaned on Christ through it all, and still do today. It is not a conversation that we discuss often with others, yet God does give us opportunities to be a witness for Him through our struggles.

Jackson allowed me to hold his hand and say a prayer for him.

Wow! The timing of our conversation, as I’m writing about the heaviness in life.

Will you please pray for my friend, Jackson, and the days, months, and years to come for him. Pray for all who suffer with thoughts of suicide and the family members and friends who are affected by it.  I have tears streaming down my face now, as I am typing this.  Ugh…the heaviness.  Lord, I need you!

Thank you.