Sunday, February 20, 2011

What if the burden was lifted?

What if the burden was lifted?

Today while seeking wisdom to guide a friend, this popped into my head. What if the burden was lifted?

I sat there trying to make rhyme or reason of this.

What if nothing was in the way? What if the nightmares that haunt her stopped? What if the heavy heavy weight she is carrying was lifted from her?

I don’t know. I don’t know what would happen if her burden was lifted. I don’t know what would happen if she was able to lay it at the cross and never pick it up again. I don’t know why the struggle is necessary sometimes, but I know there is purpose.

It seems as if so many of the references I found in the bible for “burden” were soon followed by a warning about idols. Could it be that the thing we view as a burden, could also be an idol?

At first I thought, no, I was burdened by sorrow, depression, and shame - I didn’t want it - it just burdened me.

But wait…an idol is anything I place in a higher place than God. When making my priority list, I certainly didn’t list depression over God, but sometimes I believed the lies of depression over God. Sometimes I refused to believe that God loved me, despite what the Bible said, despite what Jesus says, I listed to my past, I listened to my tainted shameful thoughts, over God!!!! Could it be that I believed in the power of my depression and shame and victimization more than I believed in my God?

He removed the burden from my shoulders. He delivered me, from before the time I was born He delivered me. He delivered her, He delivered you, the moment He died on the cross. Hear Him. He is the Lord your God. There is no “what if the burden was lifted”. It WAS lifted, we just need to accept it.

Psalm 81:6-10 “I removed the burden from their shoulders; their hands were set free from the basket. In your distress you called and I rescued you, I answered you out of a thundercloud……..Hear me, my people, and I will warn you - if you would only listen to me, Israel! You shall have no foreign god among you; you shall not worship any god other than me. I am the lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt. Open wide you mouth and I will fill it.

7 comments:

  1. This is so good. And by the way, I'm coming back to view your blog. When I sat down the first time I didn't have my hearing aids in so I couldn't hear. But, I remember.

    Back to the post -- I think I've done the same thing with anger. Asked God why He wouldn't take away my anger, when perhaps I clung to it as an idol as well. Good thoughts, friend.

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  2. i have been wrestling with this same idea since October when I had my health issues after the pregnancy. I have come to believe that while without a doubt, depression is a clinical/ medical/ and mental health issue, i am beginning to believe that it also can be a habitual practice, something that takes us from God, a sin? is where my question still lies. Depression attempts to convince us that life is lacking, painful, too much to handle, but yet faith tells us that God is powerful, life is joyful, and a gift/ responsibility to share with others. I am glad you are taking on this difficult topic. I continue to pray daily for power to fight the thoughts that want to keep me from joy and from God. He will prevail!

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  3. I definately see it as a clinical issue. Antidepressants helped me so much, I truly believe that some of us need more available Seratonin. However, those depressive thought patterns quickly become habitual and must be fought. There is no shame in struggling with depression, but I do think there is a very real struggle that can occur with unbeleif that God can can and will heal us.

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  4. yes..anything we we hold onto over Him is an idol....boy Steph..I am really thinking about this. This is the kinda stuff that makes me digg deeper in Him.
    these are deeeep things yes?
    xo

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  5. Good article. Helps to work through issues turning to God for His view. When I first thought about "What if the burden was lifted" I pondered how it is often the "burden" allowed that presses us into God for help, and that requires us to be relational with one another bearing our burdens together. It was all done on the cross but not all burdens are lifted instantaneously as most of us desire. Salvation instantly forgives us of all sin, but salvation also works out in our lifetime a transformation of our being into being Christlike. This is how I see illness, God yes can instantly heal but he most often chooses to take us step by step through purposeful healing so that we learn lessons to share with others.

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  6. Good words n thoughts lindy Lou! So true :)

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  7. Beautiful, meaty words here! I want my life to live out these words: Hear Him. He is the Lord your God. There is no “what if the burden was lifted”. It WAS lifted, we just need to accept it.

    Thank you. Simply, thank you, Stephanie. A big "like" to lindylou!

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