BENT OVER WITH BURDENS

The Bible Study I am currently attending is using the book


I have a love/hate relationship going on with this study.  The problem is not with the book--it's with me.

I love to backpack, hike, and camp.  There is a serious problem when I overload my pack and try to carry too much weight.


The weight guidelines suggest you not try to carry more than a third of your body weight when hiking.  I error on the side of caution and carry way too much food (peanut M&M's are NOT light) and clothing.  Add to that the required bear canister and I am loaded down.  It did not make for an enjoyable trek.

The book addresses those things in life we are burdened with--be it past or present.  My refusal or inability to shed the weight of past and present disappointments, hurts, and anger are weighing me down.  As we continue our trek through life and we are thrown curve balls, we become bent over by the weight of the negative.  


My refusal or inability to give it all to Christ and allow Him to set me free is creating a barrier between who I am and who I could be.  Last meeting I told the modulator, the author makes it sound easy.  I have given it up over and over--only to find something dredging it all to the top again.  She reminded me the author spoke of her tears and torment before she was finally able to turn it all over.  Perhaps the problem was the flatness of the emotion when transferred to the written word.  I must admit I find it very difficult to convey my deep emotions when turning to pen and paper.  There is something about the human voice that can only truly impart our emotion and then only in part.  How do you ever explain what your heart and soul are feeling?


This is where the Holy Spirit comes in.  When we are able to truly confess our burdens--without hesitation or reserve, He is our interpreter.  Only He can translate the pain, grief or anger into the deep groaning of our spirit.  My willingness to let go has a direct impact upon my ability to let go.  

This book is challenging me.  I refused to answer part of the questions in this section.  Telling the group, this book is meddling, is only part of the story.  I am hesitant to dredge the past up and perhaps I keep thinking I can do this on my own.  On the surface, I am doing just that--deep down--in the recesses of my soul--I am not so sure.  I have lost my desire to write--and I wonder if that is a reflection of what is rolling around spiritually.  



Can we ever give it all up this side of glory?  Does it create a gap in my relationship with The Father?  Do I choose to stand tall or allow the burdens of the world to keep me bent over?  Deep thinking--

1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Galatians 5:1

8 comments

  1. OH OH ...you are most def. talking to me...Life has many issues, doesn't it? I hope you have a lovely day, Lulu, regardless of life's burdens..

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    1. Praying for you today, Linda!
      Blessings, My Friend!

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  2. We are all carrying some burden from the past and somehow are unable to shed it and move on. Mostly, it is because the hurt is still there. We may have forgiven the hurt done to us, but the memories are still there and are brought back to life at a moment's notice - a sound heard, a place visited, something said, and the memories come back. That's natural. And it is part of our Cross which we have to bear.

    But there are other burdens we carry too. It is when we have wronged others and, although they have forgiven us, we cannot forgive ourselves. That's a self-inflicted burden. As long as we have asked forgiveness from others, and from God too, and received it; that should be the end of it. Christ often said: "Your sins are forgiven". No one ever asked Him: "Are you sure? Really really sure?"

    They accepted His forgiveness in gratitude. So should we.

    God bless.

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    1. I totally agree, Victor, and I am guilty of trying to fix many things myself and not allowing God to be a part of the equation. We discount what Jesus did for us when we refuse to let go. Thank you for entering this discussion. I do believe we all might suffer from burdens we cling to.
      Blessings, My Friend!

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  3. It took me such a LONG time to realize I can never fix myself, only God can. Each morning, I resubmit my will to His. It's an ongoing process, but He is so patient with me.
    Blessings, Loralu!

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    1. AMEN, Martha, over and over again!
      Bless you, Martha!

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  4. This was such a good one for me to read this morning. Thank you for continuing to write! Your entries always meet me where I am! And... I love your stories!

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    1. LOVE YOU, My Friend! We need to swap stories now that I am back in R! Would love some face to face time!
      Blessings, My Friend!

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Your comments keep my writing and often cause me to think. A written form of a hug or a pat on the back and an occasional slap into reality---I treasure them all!