1st July 2006- Unloading our Burdens

Put the Glass Down
Courtesy of Patrick Lieow

A lecturer was giving a lecture to his student on stress management. He raised a glass of water and asked the audience, "How heavy do you think this glass of water is?" The students' answers ranged from 20g to 500g.

"It does not matter on the absolute weight. It depends on how long you hold. If I hold it for a minute, it is OK. If I hold it for an hour, I will have an ache in my right arm. If I hold it for a day, you will have to call an ambulance."

It is the exact same weight, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes. If we carry our burdens all the time, sooner or later, we will not be able to carry on, the burden becoming increasingly heavier. What you have to do is to put the glass down, rest for a while before holding it up again. Alternatively, pass the glass to a friend to help you carry it.

"We have to put down the burden periodically, so that we can be refreshed and are able to carry on." However, there's someone who is more than willing to carry it for us. He is no other than the King of the universe, Jesus Himself! The Bible says in 1 Peter 5:7 "Cast your cares upon Him, for he cares for you." We are also called to carry each other's burdens. Galatians 6:2 says "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. "

So before you return home from work tonight, put the burden of work down. Pray and seek God's help. Or share it with a friend. Don't carry it back home. Whatever burdens you are having now on your shoulders, cast it upon God our Father, who cares for us.

• Point to Ponder: If we carry our burdens all the time, they will get increasingly heavier until ultimately, we break down.

• Verse: Cast your cares upon Jesus, for he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7)

• What you can do about it: Unload your burdens daily. Share it with a friend or cast it to Jesus through prayer!