Cares and Worries
Are you a worrier? Do you have trouble letting things go?
Often we have genuine worries and we are not sure how we can carry the burden. These burdens may relate to concerns about our children, health and financial issues, disappointment, loneliness or rejection. Sometimes we don’t know who to turn to.
Jesus said: Come to me, all you 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 easy and my burden is light (Matthew 11:28-30 NIV).
The reality is that life can be very difficult, but these are the very kinds of burdens that Jesus wants us to bring to him. Jesus is saying, “Come to me all you who are struggling with life in any way, and those of you who have burdens that you can’t carry alone, and I will help you with your struggles.”
Sometimes of course, in our minds, our worries make issues bigger than they are. We often sweat about the ‘first world’ problems that on a global scale aren’t that significant. While Jesus can help us with our burdens, sometimes our perception of things and the way we think can re-shape our view of the world and its problems.
I thought I would include a copy of an email that has done the circuit over the last few years. It tends to capture both the sentiments outlined above.
Memo from God (The Boss)
To: You
Subject: Yourself – Life
I am God. I will be handling all your problems. Please remember that I do not need your help. If life happens to deliver a situation that you cannot handle, do not attempt to resolve it. Kindly put it in the SFGTD (Something for God to do) basket. All situations will be resolved, but in my time, not yours.
Once the matter is placed into the basket, do not hold onto it by worrying about it. Instead, focus on all the wonderful things that are present in your life now.
If you find yourself stuck in traffic, don’t despair. There are people in the world for whom driving is an unheard privilege.
Should you have a bad day at work, think of the man who has been out of work for years. Should you despair over a relationship gone bad, think of the person who has never known what it is like to love or be loved in return.
Should you grieve about the passing of another weekend, think of the woman in dire straits, working 12 hours a day, seven days a week to feed her children.
Should your car breakdown, leaving you stranded, think of the paraplegic who would love the opportunity to take that walk.
Should you notice a grey hair in the mirror, think of the cancer patient in chemo who wishes she had hair to examine.
Should you find yourself at a loss and pondering what is life all about, asking what is my purpose? Be thankful. There are those who didn’t live long enough to get the opportunity. Should you find yourself the victim of other people’s bitterness, ignorance, smallness and insecurities, remember, things could be worse. You could be one of them.
