Monday, August 8 – Matthew 11:28-30

“Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is comfortable, and My burden is light.”

Often, a person who knows us well can look at us and quickly tell that we are carrying the weight of the world on our shoulders. We use this terminology because it conveys how much something is bothering us, to the point of it affecting our daily life. The problems that bother us to this extent could be a million miles away or something we are constantly facing. Regardless of the distance, the worries burden us like we are literally carrying a weight on our shoulders.

These words Jesus spoke as He was teaching in Galilee still impact us today as we face circumstances of life that seem too much to bear. When we abide in Him and cast our cares on Him, He is faithful to carry the load. First Peter 5:6-7 says, “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time, having cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares about you.” Casting our anxiety on God requires humility, accepting that there are things we cannot handle by ourselves, and trusting His work above our own.

Even if we know we have this hope in Jesus, we often leave it as our last resort instead of the first place we turn. When we do this, we only hurt ourselves. We may feel productive in our worry and fear, but only God is ready and able to carry the load.

• What are some burdens you are carrying today?
• What are the things you often run to before you come to the Lord in prayer?
• Pray and cast your burdens on Jesus.