Lay Down Your Troubles, Worry No More

He was not embarrassed at all. Disappointed, but not embarrassed. He showed me the wetness running down his pants, and admitted he couldn’t make it to the bathroom. He brought his problem to me, knowing I would take care of it. He didn’t try to hide it, he just laid the whole mess down in front of me.

He didn’t discuss his problem with the whole world. He didn’t share it later with his Paw. He didn’t talk about it with his sister. He brought it to me, we took care of it, and then it was over for him. He went outside and continued playing. Once he gave his cares (and dirty clothes) to me, he was free to play again. Free to be a kid. Free to be just what he was intended to be, right then.

Oh, what a lesson that six year old taught me about my relationship with Christ.

Don’t try to hide your sins or problems
My grandson came straight to me and admitted his problem. He didn’t try to cover it up. He knew I loved him enough to take his burdens as my own.

When I’ve done something wrong, or made a huge mistake, I don’t want anyone to know. I’m ashamed. I try to fix it on my own. This action isolates me from others who could help me. In the same way, sin separates us from God. We are embarrassed to bring our mess before Him. We carry our heavy burdens, forgetting that He is our burden bearer.

Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. Ps 68:19

Come boldly before the throne of grace.
My grandson had an embarrassing accident. Yet, he brought his trouble to me boldly. He knew he needed help, and he knew Granny was the only help he had. He understood that I wouldn’t chide or criticize his mistake.

That’s how we need to come before God’s throne of grace: Boldly. Knowing He will help and not condemn. Knowing we will receive His mercy and find His grace to help us.

So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. Hebrews 4:16

Lay it down
My grandson told me about his problem, and considered it taken care of. He didn’t even tell his Paw, who is his buddy. There was no need – it was taken care of, in his eyes. How often do we give our cares, worries and problems to Jesus…and then take them back again? How often do we assume the Lord isn’t working, because we can’t see any progress or movement or resolution of the issue? How often do we hang on to the problem, sharing it with the world, and not with Christ? For me, too often.

I need to take a lesson from my grandson. I need to lay my worries, fears, and prayers at the feet of Jesus, and KNOW that He is working. There is freedom in the surrender.

Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully. 1 Peter 5:7 (AMP)

Lord, how thankful I am that I can give you my worries once and for all! I thank You and praise You for being my burden bearer. I weep tears of joy that You are merciful, and extend grace when I need it most! Thank You Jesus for Your affectionate care! Amen.

Until next week,