Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Struggles - Bonita Y. McCoy




“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matt 11:28-30 NIV.


It was as if the preacher had been standing in my kitchen all week long, listening to what was going on in my world.


He started by talking about burdens and how everyone has them. He reminded us that no household is immune to them.

Whether you call them burdens, struggles, or issues, the preacher is right; we all do have them. They come in various types, sizes, and flavors.

Some we bring on ourselves through bad decisions, chasing our own desires, or being stubborn. I know a thing or two about that last one.

Others we inherit from our kids. Because we love them, we walk with them through their struggles.

Then there are those that happen because it is part of life, the death of a loved one due to sickness or the loss of a job because of downsizing.



Struggles come. It’s a fact.




The question is: how are we going to handle them?






In Matthew 11:28, Jesus tells us to “come”; He invites us to bring him our burdens. He asks us to get in the yoke with him, so we don’t have to pull the load alone, and then something unimaginable happens, he tells us that his yoke is easy and his burden is light. He actually lightens the load and gives our weary souls rest.

 A dear friend of mine once said, “It’s not the situation but the response that counts.” I think she’s right.

It’s not the situation, but the response that counts.

Our response needs to be to turn to Jesus the redeemer and lover of our soul, so that when we go through struggles, they become tools for the Lord to use to help others instead of straps that tie us down.

Take your struggles, issues, burdens to the Lord today. Get in the yoke with Him and find rest for your soul.


Father,
We bring you our struggles and those of our family. Please give us your wisdom and direction in all these things. Help us to come to you humbly knowing you alone have the answers. Let us have right responses to these situations that we may bring glory to your name.
Amen


bym