When the Load is Heavy

We have all witnessed it. We have personally been there, and we know people that have been there as well. The destination? I'm talking about the end of your rope. We have all been to the place where we call out to God "Hey Lord, you said you won't give me more than I can bear. I'm cracking. The weight of life is crushing me. I can't handle this!"

If you are willing to look beyond the weight of the circumstances you will see a special joy in being at the end of your rope. It is there that we learn just how strong God is. When our grip is slipping, when our arms are tired and weak from struggling to just hold on, God is right there.

He gives strength to the weary,
And to him who lacks might He increases power.
30 Though youths grow weary and tired,
And vigorous young men stumble badly,
31 Yet those who [aa]wait for the LORD
Will gain new strength;
They will [ab]mount up with [ac]wings like eagles,
They will run and not get tired,
They will walk and not become weary. Is. 40:29-31

When we are at our weakest, God is right there giving us His strength. When we get to that level, that is when we are most willing to rest in God's arms. This is a good thing. The better thing is to ALREADY be in God's arms.

Yet, no matter how close we are to God, how intimate the relationship, there will be times when our rope is just too short and we really need Him. God is near to the broken hearted.

I know. Last night a dear friend, a man who was like a 2nd father to me was called to Heaven. Then today I find out a dear Aunt is really struggling with cancer and in the hospital, my uncle has many health struggles, my Grandma won't be out here for my daughter's birth, financially things in our family are a struggle and I hurt for so many reasons.

Yet, this is life. We all face it. My struggles are not really different from any other person. What makes the difference is how I view them. Do I see them as weights to crush me, to drag me to the end of my rope, or do I see them as opportunities to rely on God, to grow closer to Him? Right now I'm doing my best to see them as golden opportunities to exhibit and experience God's joy and peace, His comfort.

When your load is heavy, when your rope is too short, I encourage you to turn to Christ. No matter what the situation, no matter how big the struggle, no matter how dark your personal storm clouds are, God is there with you, He is bigger, stronger and more powerful than the pain. He is just waiting for you to seek Him and ask for His help.

4Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.

5-8If you don't know what you're doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You'll get his help, and won't be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought." James 1:2-8a


-JLP-