Casting and carrying.

Trials are a part of life. They happen to everyone. Even if we do not want to admit it, we all go through trials sometime in our lives. Some seem greater than others. Some trials seem so unbearable that we scarcely find the strength to stand. It is through these times of trials that we may find our strength is not enough. We may even feel weak and unable to weather the trial on our own.

It is at those times that we need to look at what the bible says about how to handle our trials.
1 Peter 5 : 6-7
6. Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,
7. casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

Psalm 55 : 22
22. Cast your burden on the Lord, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.

It is interesting that the bible refers to cares also as burdens. What did Jesus say about burdens?
Mathew 11 : 28-30
28. "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
29. "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."
30. "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.''

Wow, that is so wonderful! I just love this passage in Mathew 11. To me I can see a 3 step process.
1) Come to Jesus with your burdens and he will give you rest.
2) Give Jesus your burden. ( I personally think that the rest comes after we have given our burden to him).
3) Take up his yoke it is easy and his burden is light. (Our burden weighs us down, where as his burden lifts us up).

How else are we to handle our trials?: Well in Galatians we are encouraged to share our burdens with one another.
Galatians 6:2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Many of you are aware of my recent miscarriage in January. It has been for me, a very tough trial. I know some may not consider this a trial. I however have been struggling to understand or at least to find peace throughout all of this. I have gone through many trials before and yet have never felt so emotionally tired. In all of God's wisdom I know his plans are great. Even or especially when, I can not see them. I have to rely on my faith and trust in Jesus to help me through. I personally have felt hurt and abandoned. I know Jesus has not meant for me to feel this way. I know that we are to see our trials as a good thing.
James 1 : 2-3
2. My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,
3. knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.

In many ways I am sure I am in much need of patience. It is never easy to endure a trial. Then after enduring it, you have used up every ounce of strength and patience you could muster. I know that and that is why we need to rely on Jesus.

My personal trials I struggle with are some that were established years ago, while others are fresh and constant. My oldest son is very precious to me. Not just b/c he is my oldest but b/c he is autistic. He has struggled with this for most of his life. My husband and I have struggled with him and his autism. Although it should be easier to deal with, everyday is a new day and a new challenge. That trial for us is continual. For many years throughout my childhood my parents relationship has had many problems. ( All of which could have been corrected through faith in Jesus). Just a few years ago my mom choose to leave my father after 38 yrs of marriage. She sought a divorce and is now preparing to remarry another man. My father has already remarried another woman. My thoughts and convictions concerning this has not brought me closer to either parent. I actually have no close relationship with anyone from my extended family. It has been a difficult trial b/c my convictions are not shared by my family.

My faith and convictions have separated me from some of my family. It is b/c of my faith that I have found the courage and peace to trust in God and follow him with my whole heart.
Recently I have realized that my life is similar to what Jesus mentioned in Mathew 10: 34-39
34. "Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword.
35. "For I have come to `set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.'
36. "And `a man's foes will be those of his own household.'
37. "He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.
38. "And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.
39. "He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.

I have been challenged by my trials to let go of the former and grasp and hold onto the eternal. , Though my heart is saddened over situations, and wished they were different. What is so amazing is that I have actually found abundantly more peace, strength and rest. It is all due to Jesus and his sacrifice on the cross.

Whatever trial you might be facing, please come to Jesus and lay it down and pick up his burden and believe me, you will find rest. I would love to help you bear your burden. Please contact me via comment and if you feel comfortable share a burden and I will lift you up in prayer.