Good afternoon everybody! Today I want to talk about what to do when you feel like you’ve been given more than you can handle. Have you ever been caught off guard by a traumatic life experience you had absolutely no control over? I think we all have at one time or another; it is unavoidable to go throught life without temporary struggles. So what are our options? How do we cope?
The way I see it there are two ways.
1. As the children of the “world”would: Go out and find a temporary fix to distract yourself from said problem. There are a multitude of ways, whether by compulsive spending, drinking, smoking, over-eating, under-eating, hibernating, working too much and even alternate-reality video games; the list goes on. Whatever the vice, you turn to it.
2. As a Christian, strong and empowered in Christ, knowing full well that God is in control, you can peacefully pray and lean on your Savior, who can bear the weight of your burdens so you don’t have to.
There are subsequent results for each method and if you have tried them both, as I’m sure we all have, you already know the choice that brings unending peace and the choice that leaves you empty after everything is said and done. The things of the world only satisfy for a little bit and then leave us empty, lonley, and always living and looking for the next thing. This experiential momentary euphoria is a vicious cycle that will always leave you wanting more. There is no rest, and peace does not come.
There is another way however (hallelujah!).
1 Peter 5:7 (KJV) “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”
Psalm 68:19 (NIV) “Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.”
God wants to be there for us; He cares for every single one of us, and every single thing we are going through. He doesn’t expect us to go through our struggles alone. It says there in Psalm 68 that He bears our burdens daily. That means every second of every hour of every day He is available to help us. He is the ultimate resource; nothing is too hard for God. He even said it throught the prophet Jeremiah.
Jeremiah 32:27 (KJV)
“Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?”
Remember this;
Jeremiah 10:12 (KJV)
“He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion.”
The God of all has infinite power, wisdom, and uses His discretion accurately. Trust in Him to deliver you from your burdens because He is willing and able, and always gives us what is best for us (Romans 8:28). When times get tough I think that people all too often turn to negative coping mechanisms as a false attempt to control the situation they are going through. Ultimately however, the truth is that God is in control and will always be in control, and He is much more capable and knowledgeable despite any effort we can make. Have faith in God and He will supply you with all you need, every moment, every day.
Trusting in Him is so much more effective than wallowing in self pity and being depressed! Seek Him through your hardships. Turn to the King. Trust. Pray. Believe. Repeat.
Lifted Vision Ministry 