For a few days at least, I must take a sabbatical from writing about the people of the Bible. I have covered many interesting characters, so far, and I hope the lessons they learned were helpful to you. They have been to me. But for a time, I would like to share some "lessons" I have learned from a few significant books that I read. The first, I may have mentioned at some time or another to you, is called MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST, by Oswald Chambers. In this writing he deals with WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR BURDEN IS OVERWHELMING, based on the scripture Psalm 5:22, "Cast your burden upon the Lord." Any quotes will be in quotation marks.
"We must learn to recognize the difference between burdens that are right for us to bear and the burdens of sin or doubt." One burden I have found hard to let go of is the conviction I have carried since a small child that tells me...I am not good enough. Now, if it is born out of my naughtiness as a little one or from an ego that is super-sized telling me that I am better than others therefore I cannot make mistakes, either way, it is not helping me to be the person I want to be for God, for in God, I am forgiven, yet imperfect. I am perfectly designed for His pleasure and His purposes.
"There are some burdens placed upon us by God which He does not intend to lift off. God wants us to roll them back on Him--to literally 'cast your burden' which He has given you." Sometimes we may be tempted to "get out of touch with Him, the sense of responsibility we feel will be overwhelming and defeating. But if we will only roll back on God the burdens He has placed on us, He will take away that immense feeling of responsibility, replacing it with an awareness and understanding of Himself and His presence. "
"Many servants set out to serve God with great courage and with the right motives. But with no intimate fellowship with Jesus Christ, they are soon defeated. They do not know what to do with their burden, and it produces weariness in their lives. Others will see this and say, 'What a sad end to something that had such a great beginning!'"
"Commit to God whatever burden He has placed on you. Don't just cast it aside, but put it over onto Him and place yourself there with it. You will see that your burden is then lightened by the sense of companionship. But you should never try to separate yourself from your burden."
Chambers also reminds that the scriptures tell us in Isa. 9:6, "The government shall be on His shoulders." Therefore, God is meant to "shoulder" what we cannot fully carry ourselves. Thanks be to God!
How many of your friends and families as well as yourself are now carrying heavy burdens? If I were to go down our block and ask that question, I am certain I would hear as many burdens as there are address numbers. Right now, one of our grandsons is doing a good job of recovery from heroin addiction. We are so thankful! And it has been an uphill battle for him, but he hopes as we do, that his new life will be healthy and whole. There have been many, many people praying for his wholeness. He is aware of our dependence upon God.
I am not sure at this time what I will write about tomorrow. I think it will be a lesson from JESUS CALLING by Sarah Young which has impressed me very much.
I am so thankful for the many writers and teachers who have witnessed to me through their writing. And I am thankful to God for their initiative.
Love from MN...It's spring!
Jo INMN
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