My Yoke Is Easy And My Burden Is Light

Matthew 11:28-30

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for another amazing day.  It's nap time here and both of my children are sound asleep in their rooms.  It has been a blessing from You that they both are such good afternoon nappers.  It gives this Mama a chance to catch up on things, including my time with You.

"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

This is one of those popular verses in the Bible that many people turn to for comfort when they are going through life's troubles.  This verse is meant for everyone in the world because I don't know a single person who is not weary and feeling burdened.  You gave us a glorious world to live in and due to our sin it has become such a hard place to live, and You knew that and that is why You gave us this verse.

Everyone has their own set of struggles and burdens.  Everyone is facing trials that are impossible to carry alone.  My husband and I have gotten to where we enjoy watching the show Cops at night.  It amazes us when we watch how these people act and the dumb decisions that they make.  For example, we saw an episode where police set up an undercover cop as a prostitute to walk the streets.  Men would drive up and tell her what they want, then she would tell them to meet her behind the building where instead of the prostitute a group of cops would show up..  There was one particular man that I will never forget.  He had to be at least 65 years old and did like all the others.  He stopped to talk to the undercover cop prostitute, then he drove behind the building to wait for her but, of course, the cops showed up instead.  This man was obviously heartbroken.  You could tell he instantly regretted his decision and was all of a sudden worried about his wife whom he had dropped off at Wal-Mart and needed to pick up in 15 minutes.  The man kept asking, "Do you think my wife will find out about this?....Do you think my wife will find out about this?"  This story reminded me that these aren't just actors doing dumb things on TV to make us laugh but actual human beings who have made very bad decisions probably as a result of facing their burdens alone.  It is impossible to handle the worldly burdens without You, Lord. 

I believe that there are several ways that You give us the strength to make it through this world. 

1.  Our Christian family.  Those wonderful people that we make a point to go see every Sunday to encourage and receive encouragement.  They are there to send cards or texts, give a hug, or say a prayer.  They are the warriors fighting alongside us and are dependable to be there in our time of need, just like we should be there for them.

2.  The Bible.  You give us amazing verses like Matthew 11:28-30 to lift us up in our time of need and remind us of Your amazing love.  You give us guidelines to follow to make life easier and You show us how to straighten up our life after we have fallen away from those guidelines.  You send us love letters through Your Word along with giving us pep talks, constructive criticism, pats on the back, and stories from the good ole days of those who have struggled just like us and conquered it. 

3.  The Holy Spirit.  You give us this gift to help us through those times when we basically need picked up and carried.  The thought of facing the battle of losing a loved one absolutely terrifies me and I honestly have no idea how I would handle it, but I've heard from enough people that know from experience that when a time like that comes we become filled with almost a supernatural strength to get through it.  That strength is none other than Your amazing Holy Spirit.  It's just another version of You living inside of me.

4.  And the best way You give us the strength we need is simply from You being You.  You hear our prayers and answer them better than we could ever imagine.  You send us people, angels even, who take us in and help us when we need it.  You give us opportunities to give to others which in turn brightens our own situation.  You fill our hearts with peace.  And You promise that this time on earth won't last forever, but that soon we will be in Your arms.... Your gentle arms as you describe them in Matthew 11:29. 

Thank You, Lord, for caring enough about me to help me through the times when I can't make it alone.  Thank You, that despite the many times I let You down You never let me down.  I pray that when I am faced with burdens that I waste no time giving them straight over to You and that I take advantage of the many amazing ways that You provide strength to those who love You.  I feel so blessed to have you behind me all the way.  I love You, Lord, In Jesus name, Amen!

*From Google pictures*