ODJ: He Will Handle It

December 10, 2016 

READ: Matthew 11:25-30 

Come to me, all of you who . . . carry heavy burdens (v.28).

When I take my kids to a playground, they tumble out of the car and race to the swings or slides. I usually sit on a bench with my purse, containing important medicine, close by. The meds aren’t for me; they’re for my daughter. She has a health condition that can go from bad to worse in seconds. I carry her meds because I don’t want her to have to think about them while she’s playing. How could she dangle from the monkey bars while holding her EpiPen auto-injectors? How could she grasp the metal ropes of a swing while juggling a medication bag?

As God’s children, our lives are much easier when we let Him carry our problems rather than trying to manage them on our own (Psalm 55:22). The weight of the things we face can slow us down. A mind filled with worry can lead us to try to control our circumstances. It wrinkles our foreheads. It keeps us awake at night. It drains our energy and makes us irritable. Jesus doesn’t want us to stagger through each day like this. He wants us to have a “rich and satisfying life” through His power (John 10:10).

Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who . . . carry heavy burdens” (Matthew 11:28). He’s there when we’ve used up all of our resources and have tried to cope in all the wrong ways. He’s there waiting for us, offering to trade burdens. “Take my yoke upon you. . . . For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light” (vv.29-30).

Theologian and writer Thomas à Kempis states, “Love bears a heavy burden and does not feel it.” I gladly help my daughter because I adore her. This is how Jesus looks at us— He’s always thinking of us because He loves us. In Him we find the wisdom and rest we need when problems come calling.

—Jennifer benson Schuldt

365-day plan: 2 Thessalonians 3:1-18

MORE
Read Galatians 6:2-3 to see how Christians can imitate Him when it comes to helping other people with their struggles. 
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When Jesus says He’ll help us with our problems, He assures us that He’s humble and gentle. Why is this significant? What burden will you give to Him today?