I have a game I like to play with myself after I’ve gotten a load of groceries. The game is simple, how many bags can I carry at once? Let the circulation of my fingers be cut off if it means I only have to make one trip to carry all the bags at once! Normally, I can’t do it because I’ve purchased too many things and it’s physically impossible without damaging myself or the products in the bags themselves. I have to concede my efforts of being “strong and independent” and end up having to call in for reinforcements and ask someone to help me.

I’m not sure if it’s the toxic political climate, the abundance of tough medical diagnoses, the onslaught of divorces and abandonments, or the permissiveness of sin being thrown in our faces- but this season is really really hard. The current valley I’m in feels riddled with disappointment, discouragement, and despair. Putting one foot in front of the other feels difficult and the weight of the world is buckling my knees. It’s as though I’m winded from wading through muck that wants to swallow me up. With a tear streamed face, I want to give in to the grief that is ready to destroy me. I can’t carry it. I can’t walk it alone.

Like the heaviness of the bags I try to pridefully bear without help, I often try to shoulder the weight of things that I’m not meant to carry by myself. I can offload the “baggage” and burdens to the One who already died for them. He will pick me up, wipe the tears from my cheeks, and hold my hand. He will say, “give me that” and “let me carry this for you.” He will remind me that He loves me and wants me to turn to Him for help before turning to others. He will renew the strength in my knees and point out potential snares in my walk that could lead to harm. He will give me daily bread and living water to replenish what I’ve lost. All because I was willing to ask Him for help and give Him the things I wanted control over. 

“I will bless the Lord who counsels me- even at night when my thoughts trouble me. I always let the Lord guide me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” Psalm 16:7-8