Are You Carrying Unnecessary Weights That Aren’t Yours to Carry?
Our family was walking when our oldest daughter suggested I try her 20-lb weighted vest. Knowing we were so close to the end of the walk, I confidently agreed. I could easily do this.
The first steps were fine. But it didn’t take long to realize a lot had changed in a short amount of time. My pace had changed. I couldn’t walk nearly as fast as I had been.
But isn’t this true in our spiritual lives, too? When I carry weight that isn’t mine to hold, it slows me down. My decision-making gets slower because I become confused. That confusion can muddy the waters of who I am and whose I am. Where I once was in. A long-gaited stride without the unnecessary weight, now I am having to think way too hard to take steps at all. My confidence waning, I can get to in my head.
Things began to hurt that didn’t hurt before. In this space, I can get testy and sensitive when I am toting extra baggage that isn’t mine. I am way more quick to get frustrated with those around me. Easily rubbed the wrong way, I can slip over into some unhealthy places.
Why aren’t they carrying their load? (Judgmental of someone else but failing to see my shortcomings.)
Am I the only one who cares? (Cue the pity party.)
It is all on me to make this happen! (I see myself as a victim with no choices.)
We can feel the weight tangibly, even in the spiritual realm. But will we keep living this way, or not? We have choices.
If you are in a situation where you feel trapped with no other option but to stay right where you are, even though you aren’t on an assignment from the Lord, I want to offer some suggestions.
Realize you aren’t the Savior. And He isn’t asking you to be in that role.
Ask God to forgive you if you have tried to live in a space that is meant for Him only.
Pray for creative ideas and directions on how to get out of the situation you are in.
Be open and willing to receive His instructions and follow through with them when He begins teaching you, resisting the urge to negate His teaching.
For years, I carried a weight I wasn’t meant to bear. I damaged my body by the anxiety and tension I chose to carry. It has taken a lot of patience and care to start getting healthier again. I wish I could go back to my young self and say, “ You don’t have to live this way. Be kinder to yourself. Jesus loves you, and he has got this.” But I am rejoicing and have started the journey of His “load being easy and his burden light.” His love is transforming me from an anxious, fearful, controlling person into a more peaceful, trusting, and free individual. I don’t get it right all the time, but I don’t expect myself to either. If I head off course now, I start course-correcting. I trust the Holy Spirit to check my heart and alert me when I need help.
Now, friends, I am not hating on weighted walking for your health. I just couldn’t get past the spiritual application. Having spent far too much of my life carrying weights that weren’t meant for me, my heart is to see us link arms in this journey and remind us that we have a Father who offers to bear our burdens if we will just trust Him to do it.
With His help, we can do it.
We can!
Let’s start today!
