Burden Bearer

“When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord; he brought me into a spacious place.”

Psalms 118:5 NIV

I can see many ways in which I have functioned as a burden bearer. I have taken on burdens that I am not meant to carry. I have not put my full trust in God’s more than sufficient care. Not believing wholeheartedly that He carries me and that I can entrust those I love into His more than capable, all-loving hands. 

This way of functioning is something that I learned early in my life but this last year has tipped the scales and my body has felt the full impact. Due to varying circumstances, hardship and heart break, I have steadily taken on burden after burden as if in doing so I could somehow control the outcome or contain any further suffering. This uptick in the amount of stress I have absorbed has caused my body to physically hurt.

I am confident that even though I may have learned early how to bear burdens out of dysfunction and survival, I am also gifted in seeing and sitting with others who are burdened. I have the ability to create space without feeling the need to fix or do anything. I am not afraid or uncomfortable to sit with others in their pain and sadness. 

By God’s Grace, He is slowly and gently teaching me a lighter way of living. I am beginning to trust Him at an even deeper level. I am not made to collect my burdens or anyone else’s. My frame was not meant for this. 

Jesus took on the weight of my sin, my burdens and the whole of this world’s burdens upon His frame. His body broken, His blood shed so that all of us can be set free. He died and rose again so we can be made new. Through Jesus we are unburdened and restored, given full access to live into the open-handed abundance that we were made for. 

I am called to draw near to Jesus who is ever near to me and with unclenched hands, surrender each and every burden at His feet. He takes each one and calls them precious and in their place, He gives me a more spacious place. A space where His peace, comfort and freedom reside not only for me but for all He calls me to sit with and see. 

You have given all to me.
To you, Lord, I return it.

Everything is yours; do with it what you will.
Give me only your love and your grace,
that is enough for me.

-Saint Ignatius of Loyola

“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

Isaiah 40:29-31 NIV