Burdens

The last few weeks have been full of ups and downs (as most weeks in everyone's lives are!) There have been a few especially rough days. I am incredibly thankful for friends willing to share what burdens my heart, in prayer. I am also learning to truly turn things over to God. I am finding freedom in acknowledging that I cannot always control circumstances around me, or the people around me. I can turn my cares and burdens over to Christ and live a life of joy through difficult days. I tend to have an innately positive outlook. When I get bogged down, I REALLY get bogged down. I function so much better when I allow God to take it all, and enjoy the here and now. He is showing me that trusting in Him is so much better than trying to "fix" it myself.

In the days and weeks ahead, I am sure that I will forget this from time to time. Isn't it good to know that He knows this about us. He is always there to take our burdens, we have only to hand them over. A long time ago I heard a radio devotional. It had a great impact. Whenever I think of it I am instantly back in that car, in that moment hearing the words. I don't remember the exact phrasing but it was something like this:

"Good Morning, this is God. Thank you for bringing your problems and cares to me. I will take care of them for you. No, I really don't need your help."

This is a message I need to hear occasionally. When I hand my problems over to God, they are his. I need to let them go and live the joy of a life of freedom in Christ. The first verse to the worship song "Here in this Place" has been running through my head all morning. The words are:
Lay your burden down
Every care you carry,
And come to the table of grace,
For there is mercy.
Come just as you are,
We are all unworthy
To enter the presence of God
For He is holy.

The chorus is viewed as refering to church, but as I read over it, I think it is our hearts, not church:
Lift up your heart, lift up your hands,
Fall on your knees and pray;
For the King of kings and the love He brings
Is here in this place.
We raise our voices, raise our song,
We offer Him our praise;
For the King of kings and the joy He brings
Is here, He is here in this place.

May he be in your heart today!