How nice it would be if everything in life came easy. If it all went smoothly we could live care-free, never be let down and laugh all the time. We wouldn’t be concerned about finances, family dramas or forgotten dreams; harbouring grudges or carrying offenses; what we eat and drink or the amount of activity we do, how our health is and how old we’re getting, grief over our kids growing up too fast or being influenced by what we don’t agree with.
Life is not easy. It’s full of cares and concerns and sometimes it would just be nice to be completely relieved from all of those burdens. Completely free.
Totally happy. … All of the time.
Well, there is a way.
Yes! I have a secret. It takes some time to accomplish it. It takes some effort to learn it. It takes devotion, self-control and a character trait not many people have or want to have - humility.
Most people would probably agree, at least ideally, that we can and should do what we can to live our best life and be our best person every day. We can and should try and make good decisions that take care of our relationships and look after our own health. We can and should make an effort to build into a good future or think positively about our past. But there’s a limit to how far we’re able to go with those things.
How far beyond can we reach to achieve permanent peace in our troubles? How far beyond can we reach to feel complete in our healing from pain, addiction, low self-esteem or anxiety?
There is a way beyond ourselves and it’s called faith.
The book of Isaiah in the bible, chapter 40 talks about comfort for God’s people… people who put their faith and trust in the Creator God.
Understanding there is more to us and this world anchors our life. Anchoring our life in a God that is greater than us and 100% compassionate and faithful in our weaknesses is the first step to wholeness and gives us a strength beyond our own reach.
Isaiah 40:11 metaphorically describes God’s love for us:
He will feed His flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lambs in His arms, holding them close to His heart. He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young.
This is a place of safety where we can sit, rest and reset.
Isaiah 40:4
Fill in the valleys, and level the mountains and hills. Straighten the curves, and smooth out the rough places.
This is a place of perspective, change and revelation.
Isaiah 40:28-31
Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of His understanding. He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
There is a way to carry our burdens in life without feeling burdened. But it’s God’s way, not our own. Trust, is what it takes.
Not a blind trust or a blind faith. Faith and hope will prevail when we learn to lean on a God who is greater than us and full of compassion and mercy. Through Him we can find that rest in our troubled places.
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