Cast all your burdens

I’ve just finished exams. I’m a first year medical student, so while they aren’t the most difficult exams anyone has ever had to do; they aren’t exactly a walk in the park either. They’ve been causing me a bit of concern and stress, and as well as that have been eating up huge chunks of my spare time so things like time with God has ended up getting cut back.

I don’t know if you are doing exams right now, but I imagine whatever stage of life you are at you can relate to the whole idea of having some huge burden that is occupying your time and thoughts. Something you are worried about. Circumstances where you don’t know how it’s going to turn out. And it is in times like these we need to remember Jesus’ promise.

In Matthew 11:28 He tells us “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” We don’t have to go it alone. We don’t have to carry the worry and stress and concern and uncertainty with our own strength. When the pressures of life situations are building up we need to turn To Christ and ask Him to help us through. We need to make sure we aren’t trying to do it under our own steam. For if we do essentially we are saying to Jesus that we can make it without Him.

I don’t know what burdens you are carrying around today. It could be exam stress like me. It could be pressure at work. It could be a relationship issue, family strains, marriage concerns, economic problems, whatever – I don’t know. But this I do know – Jesus is waiting for you to come to Him with that burden, and he will give you rest. He will help you carry it. He won’t let it defeat you. He came to earth and died for you, and nothing can cut you off from His love. No matter how big you think the issue you are facing right now is, no matter how big, remember this – God is considerably bigger. Don’t tell God how big your problems are – tell your problems how big your God is!

Today, follow the advice of the old hymn, and ‘cast your burdens upon the Lord, for Jesus cares, he cares for you.’ Turn to Christ for rest and renewal in the midst of whatever struggles life is throwing your way today, and you will not be disappointed. You will not be neglected. For you matter to Him so much that He died for you. Cast all your burdens onto Him who is more than able to handle them, and let Him help you through.