Friday, October 16, 2020
Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, 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
What do you do when life is hard? Most people turn to the quickest way to end their pain, even if it isn’t the wisest choice. The world has many ready and waiting solutions that do nothing more than add to our burdens. There is only one sure answer for our heartache and difficulty—an almighty God, who takes our heavy burdens in exchange for His light and easy yoke.
Finding Comfort In A World Of Pain
What are some ways in which you seek comfort? We live in an If it feels good do it society. We are seeking what consoles us, masks our pain, covers our insecurities, and makes us feel better.
- Food - Often people turn to food to help them feel better – hence the term “comfort” food. Eating, especially in the company of friends and family, usually makes us feel happy and comfortable. However, like anything, using food to deal with the pain you are feeling inside can be detrimental. This year, being stuck at home, we all have struggled a little with this!
- Drugs and Alcohol - People turn to drugs and alcohol to numb the pain. Again, 2020 has created the perfect reason and opportunity for people to drink more, and that coupled with being stuck at home has caused the abuse rates to skyrocket.
- Things – Shopping - People turn to retail therapy to feel better. Buying things such as clothes, cars or boats for example lifts the spirit and it is exciting to have something new. For some people, it is their drug. Now we do almost everything online, which provides ample opportune moments for those who have a hard time with shopping online. It is accessible and easier than ever.
- Comfort – Some people just want to stay in bed and bury their head under the covers and sleep the pain away. Unfortunately our problems are still there when we come out.
God’s gift is strength in our weariness: He gives strength to the weary and to him who lacks might He increases power. Isaiah 40:29 God gives us energy when we are tired and have nothing left to give. This passage is not saying that believers will never become physically tired. But waiting on God means consistently following His will for our lives, despite the fact that some of our desires are unmet. We must trust Him to work according to His timing and for with our best interest at heart.
God’s gift is the ability to soar above our sorrows and cares: Our faith enables us to mount up with wings like eagles. (Isa. 40:31) As these majestic birds use the wind’s energy to fly through storms, we can rely on God to sustain us in times of heartache and difficulty. You and I have the ability to rise above our circumstances using faith as our power. We can have the strength to persevere when serving the Lord becomes routine or we feel unappreciated. With strength from God we can stay focused on God’s purposes and callings on our lives. He will sustain us and give us the ability to keep going without losing heart.
God Can Be Your Own Personal Comforter And Strength
In Isaiah 40, the character qualities of God describe him as having a tender heart for His people. You and I can approach the Father with confidence that He can handle any problem we face—and desires to help us overcome it.
This year has been heavy. I am more than ready to hand the heavy burdens over to a loving Savior who is ready and waiting to take them from me. He promises an easy yoke and a light burden. He promises help - to walk along beside us and carry the load for us. He promises to comfort us in every situation and circumstance of life. Turn to Him to find the answers for your weary heart instead of to the things of the world that will only deceive you into thinking that they are everything you need.
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7
