I came across this writing from a few years back... my heart was prodded to share it today. I needed the reminder, but maybe someone else needed it too:
How do you look at burdens, disappointments, illness? Do you ever feel sometimes that as a believer you should not ever see yourself as being burdened? Can you see the good in burdens that we may face? I know I started with a lot of questions… where do I find the answers?
When I started thinking and praying about writing this devotional, I had no idea where God was going to take me. The words “burden” and “blessing” kept coming to my mind. In fact I had previously posted something on my other blog titled “Burden or Blessing” not realizing that this was the place God wanted me to go for this devotional. The first verse that comes to my mind when I think of burden is:
“Cast your burden on the LORD, and He shall sustain you;
He shall never permit the righteous to be moved." ~ Psalms 55:22
He shall never permit the righteous to be moved." ~ Psalms 55:22
Everyone has a story and this is mine... For years I carried a burden with me. It was so personal and I “suffered” in silence most of the time, but anyone that really knew me knew it was always there. I felt at times it became my identity… the burden of never being able to have a baby. Many, many tests were done, but still no real reason for the infertility… no reason for the emptiness… no reason for the loss… no reason why I couldn’t give my husband a child. For a long time I kept asking why God would allow such a thing to be a part of MY life… I always have done my best to live for Him… why did I have to carry this burden when I wanted to be a mom so badly? I got plenty of unsolicited answers from so many people, but I never really got the answer I was looking for from God.
I would often think of Psalm 37:4 “Delight yourself in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.”
I know I was born with the desire in my heart to be a mother. I also know God gave me that desire. Then why when I was “delighting myself in the Lord” was He not giving me the desires of my heart?
I never did receive an answer to that exact question, but what I did receive was that if I had a willing heart to trust that God knows best, He can change the desires of my heart. He can relieve the burden of the loss of my dreams. And yes, He can even turn this burden into a blessing.
You might ask where is the blessing. The blessing comes from me surrendering my desires to His way in my life. Psalm 37:5 goes on to say, “Commit your way to the LORD, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.”
That is a promise from God… a God who never changes (Hebrews 13:8)… a God who never lies (Hebrews 6:18 )… a God who will never let me go. (Isaiah 41:13) It may not be my plan but it is God’s plan. This is a favorite quote that relates to this, “It is dangerous to mistake my wishes for God’s will.”
Satan hates it when we can find the blessing in the burden. One of our enemy’s greatest weapons is discouragement… if I allow him to take that burden and add his lies and deception, then he has got me right where he wants me. He will use discouragement and discontentment to turn my heart away from God and all the blessings God has for me.
How do I combat when Satan wants to bring up that hurt and try to turn it back into a burden? I praise & worship God. I am not saying it is always easy, but I do know that God has already won the victory and I am so thankful I am on the winning side.
These are a few verses that help me praise God in those difficult moments. I pray you will meditate on them and that you find comfort for whatever burden you may be carrying today.
"I waited patiently for the LORD; and He inclined to me, and heard my cry. He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps. He has put a new song in my mouth— Praise to our God; many will see it and fear, and will trust in the LORD.” -
“Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the LORD.” -
“The LORD will give strength to His people; the LORD will bless His people with peace.” -
“The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song I will praise Him.” -
I pray that through God’s leading I will be used to be a blessing to someone today. Giving God all the glory, in Jesus’ Name. Share this with someone that may need to read this today too.
Questions to ask yourself:
Has there been a time in your life when you thanked God for a burden?
Share how God has turned a burden into a blessing in your life.
What do you do to get through those difficult moments?
Rejoicing in Truth!
Carin
Carin
