Weight Problem?

Give your burdens to the Lord,
    and he will take care of you.
    He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.

Psalm 55:22 

We have a weight problem!  There's no two ways about it, our weight problem is causing us many more problems as well!  We can deny it, ignore it, try to cover it up, but the fact is we have a weight problem and it's reaching an epidemic stage.  If we don't face it and do something about it, it will crush us from the spirit outward!

We seem to have this habit of taking on the burdens that are not ours to carry, which weighs us down and makes it more and more difficult to encourage others, be sincere, love others, care for others, pray for others, repair relationships, forge new friendships, and on and on.  We stress and strain under the weight of our burden until we become angry, bitter, hateful, judgmental, and even condemning.

What weights are you carrying that aren't yours?  How about that person you are angry or irritated with that you just can't (or won't) let it go?  How about the concern for someone else's decisions?  What about worrying about what may or may not happen?  What about anxiety over a situation beyond your control?  How about a lack of contentment?  When was the last time you actually chose not to encouraged someone?  When was the last time you complained about some situation or someone?   

Over and over, Scripture teaches us that we need to give our burdens to the ONLY one who can deal with them and us.  Jesus reminded us to "Come to me all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I WILL give you rest."  Why are we so stubborn?  Why do we want to cling to our burdens?  Perhaps we have carried them so long that we have become used to them and don't know how to act if we gave them up.  Perhaps we just like being bitter and angry.  Perhaps we don't think God will handle our issues the way WE think they should be handled.  

But consider this:  If we truly trust God, who gave us life and purpose and told us to give Him our burdens, doesn't it make sense to give Him our burdens?  If you want peace, let go of that which weighs you down.