Day 221
Matthew 11:28-30
"Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden,and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you _and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light"
Jesus beckoned us to come to Him when we are weary and burdened. He asked that we take His yoke upon us and learn from Him. He said His yoke is easy and His burden is light. This is a measuring tool for us to discern our spiritual states.
Where are we? With whom are we connected? From whom are we presently receiving instruction?. Those are the kinds of questions we must ask when we are heavily burdened and when the way we are traveling seems so hard. In His presence, there is fullness of joy. There is rest. When we are yoked together with Him, the way is easy and the load is light. When we are receiving instruction from Him, we find rest for our souls.
When times are very stressful and we are feeling unable to go on with joy and peace, there is no time to entertain pity, discouragement or depression. It is time for us to make adjustments. It is time to get away from our struggles and focus our attention on our loving Lord, who is waiting to refresh us. It is not at all complicated. Sometimes, we listen to all kinds of teaching on how to deal with stress, how to cope with discouragement, getting over hurts, etc., and we lose the simplicity of the ministry of our Healer. All those teachings are good and beneficial, but if we attempt to apply them without the simple, personal relationship with Jesus, we may find ourselves going in circles. We will simply go round and round with our struggles, and they will bind us more and more. Principles are good and, when used properly, can tum our trials into stepping stones to a stronger spiritual life. However, when we attempt to use principles or formulas independent of direct, personal encounters with the Master, they become like temporary relief drugs. When the effects wear off, we are no healthier than we were before.
Let us make it a habit to run to God in the times of trouble.The Father wants to embrace and love on us. Jesus wants to bring healing to our hurts. The Holy Spirit desires to comfort us in our trouble and give us the right instructions on how to rise above the circumstances. Living a life of peace and joy does not come from just knowing things to do, but from making an intimate relationship with the Lord a consistent, practical reality.
When I am in trouble in any way or tired and burdened, I will turn my attention toward God. I will receive from Him directly and be restored and refreshed.