What Are You Carrying?

Stress. It's everywhere. How do you get rid of its life-ruining presence?

Hey GEM girls! Sit back a bit and imagine with me a few scenarios:

1. You're in your room late at night, and you have an interminable list of homework due tomorrow. You've only finished the first assignment with ten others remaining, and the clock hits 12 AM.

2. You have to perform your musical instrument in a concert for a large audience. The person before you has already gone, and now he/she is walking towards backstage. The audience is clapping, and you have to walk out. You know your part well, but who knows what's going to happen during a concert?

3. You're extremely worried about your dog, who is extremely ill and in the animal hospital. You don't know whether it's going to live or not.

Reading these scenarios, I would be surprised if they weren't kindling any stress in you!

Stress is something we all experience daily, but do we really have to experience it?

Recently, I was feeling very stressed due to the amount of homework and studying I needed to do. There was that deadline to meet, and that test to study for. It felt as though this overwhelming feeling would never end. As I thought about all the different things on my to-do list, I began to feel hopeless.

But then I realized that as Christ's followers, we shouldn't be stressed. We shouldn't feel overwhelmed. We have a Father in heaven, who is always in control! He cares so deeply for each of us and never desires for us to be burdened by life's hardships. Instead, He tenderly reaches out to us and says, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matt. 11:28). Jesus is inviting us to come to Him just as we are, because in Him we can find peace and rest. What a beautiful promise!

After I read that, I decided that I would give my burdens to Him. That is the only way we can ever find rest--if we surrender what we're carrying on our backs.

Stress comes in all shapes and sizes. But Jesus is right there, knocking on the door of your heart, wanting you to surrender your burdens to Him so that He can give you His peace, which is eternal. Don't you want to answer Him, and lay all your burdens at His feet today?

How have you been able to overcome stress in your life? Let us know in the comments!

Lots of Love,