Cast Your Burdens

Cast Your Burdens

By Apostle Felix

1Pe 5:6  If you bow low in God’s awesome presence, he will eventually exalt you as you leave the timing in his hands. 
1Pe 5:7  Pour out all your worries and stress upon him and leave them there, for he always tenderly cares for you. 
1Pe 5:8  Be well balanced and always alert, because your enemy, the devil, roams around incessantly, like a roaring lion looking for its prey to devour.

1 Peter 5: 6 – 8

Worry and anxiety are realities of human life. We worry and are anxious about almost everything every day. We worry about what we shall eat, what we shall wear, whom we shall marry, or whether I will get a job. These are real concerns, and so many are under the pressure of these worrisome burdens. We see people around smelling good and looking well-groomed, but yet are carrying so much weight on their shoulders. You are probably a victim of worry and anxiety as you read this devotional. I am here to encourage you to cast your burdens upon Him because He cares. Jesus has encouraged us not to worry about anything, but to commit all to Him.

25  Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
26  Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
27  Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?

Matthew 6: 25 – 27

Jesus provided a solution to worry and anxiety: taking all to God in prayer. Because of His love, God is more than willing to provide for His people. Jesus drew our attention to the birds of the air and the flowers of the field that are well taken care of by God. How much more then will God take care of those who are His children? So, if God can look after the birds and the flowers, He will certainly take care of you and provide for you. But if you worry about anything, you will prioritize seeking things instead of seeking God.

31  “So then, forsake your worries! Why would you say, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’
32  For that is what the unbelievers chase after. Doesn’t your heavenly Father already know the things your bodies require?
33  “So above all, constantly chase after the realm of God’s kingdom and the righteousness that proceeds from him. Then all these less important things will be given to you abundantly.
34  Refuse to worry about tomorrow, but deal with each challenge that comes your way, one day at a time. Tomorrow will take care of itself.” 

Matthew 6: 31 – 34

Seeking the kingdom of God and God’s righteousness is an expression of trust in God’s faithfulness. Prioritizing the kingdom of God above all our needs is the highest form of trust. Worry and anxiety convince believers to trust in things. The reason why many believers shun giving is because of worry and anxiety. Just imagine what was going through the widow’s mind, who gave everything she had to live on. I believe she had every reason not to give her money because she did not have enough. If worry and anxiety had overwhelmed her judgment, she was not going to give that day. She gave because she decided to cast her burdens on God. Did she need the money she gave? Oh yes, she did. Probably, she even had dependents who were waiting on her to come back home and buy some food from the little money she had. She was in such a dilemma, whether to give or to keep. But trust in God’s love and care overwhelmed her fears of tomorrow.

1  Jesus was in the temple, observing all the wealthy wanting to be noticed as they came with their offerings.
2  He noticed a very poor widow dropping two small copper coins in the offering box.

Luke 21: 1, 2

Worry and anxiety can be expressed in many different ways. It is not only when one does not have enough, but even when one has more than enough. The rich young man went away from Jesus with a downcast countenance because he was asked to give. His trust was not in God but in his riches. Instead, the riches became a burden to him. Riches, too, can be a burden if they are turned into something that one can put his or her trust in. Jesus’s desire for both the rich and the poor is to cast our burdens upon Him. It does not matter where you are in life; cast your cares upon Jesus. You were not designed to carry the load of life all by yourself. Riches or poverty do not have the strength to carry your burdens. For example, money can buy a house but cannot buy peace in the family. Money can buy a car, but it cannot buy protection from destruction. Money can attract a beautiful girl, but it cannot buy a good and noble character. Money can buy medicine and secure good medical aid, but it cannot buy health. Money is limited; therefore, it cannot be trusted. Only God can be trusted.

6  Don’t be pulled in different directions or worried about a thing. Be saturated in prayer throughout each day, offering your faith-filled requests before God with overflowing gratitude. Tell him every detail of your life,
7  then God’s wonderful peace that transcends human understanding, will make the answers known to you through Jesus Christ.
8  So keep your thoughts continually fixed on all that is authentic and real, honorable and admirable, beautiful and respectful, pure and holy, merciful and kind. And fasten your thoughts on every glorious work of God, praising him always.

Philippians 4: 6 – 8