“Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows…” Isaiah 53:4

Is there anyone who isn’t feeling the heaviness of the times pulling them down? We see health scares, political polarity, economic trouble, unrest and unkindness everywhere we look. It seems we’re all traveling this path together, yet separately, as well. It’s a little harder to bear one another’s burdens when we are somewhat isolated and when we’re having trouble carrying our own. My list of people who are hurting and need help and prayers gets longer each day. It hurts my heart to see those I love wrestle with their challenges, even as I struggle to get through each day myself.

Sometimes it’s too heavy to carry. I find I simply can’t do it. I’m not strong enough. I’m not wise enough. The weight of fear and sorrow usually gets unbearable before I remember that it’s not my job to carry it at all.  Any of it. This week I came to that point and took the time to place myself and every single one of the people I love, along with the worries and cares and sorrows we each bear, into the loving, trustworthy, capable, and outstretched hands of our Savior, Jesus Christ. He is strong enough. He is wise enough. He wants me to give them all to Him. He waits patiently for me to remember He’s right there, ready to carry it for me and for all His precious children.

“[Cast] all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” 1 Peter 5:7

Now all I have to do is keep trusting, keep believing, and remember not to take them all back.

The lyrics of this beautiful hymn are a tender reminder to do just that.

How gentle God’s commands!
How kind his precepts are!
Come, cast your burdens on the Lord

And trust his constant care.  

Beneath his watchful eye,
His Saints securely dwell;
That hand which bears all nature up
Shall guard his children well.

Why should this anxious load
Press down your weary mind?
Haste to your Heav’nly Father’s throne
And sweet refreshment find.

His goodness stands approved,
Unchanged from day to day;
I’ll drop my burden at his feet
And bear a song away.

(Philip Doddridge)