When Life Feels Heavy

There are seasons of life when our days can feel as heavy as lead, whether with responsibilities or complex emotions. We can grow tired of trudging through the mundane, or when life's mountaintop moments feel few and far between. Let's check-in: Have you been feeling weary? Are you hurting from the burden you've been carrying?

Jesus said, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 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. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).

You may have encountered this verse quite a bit before, but I want to hone in on what it personally means when Jesus says his yoke is easy and his burden is light.

Yokes were worn by a pair of animals. The wooden bar would stretch across the two and they would walk together and share the load they had to carry. It definitely made for easier work. The agricultural term isn’t as relatable to our modern everyday lives, but you can’t dispute the poetic beauty of the metaphor. Jesus doesn’t want us to wander on our own aimlessly. “Prone to wander, Lord I feel it,” to quote the hymn “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing.” Our hearts and minds are prone to wander in the wilderness of life sometimes. We can pause, look around, and wonder how we got so far from where we wanted to be. Jesus invites us to dwell with him; like a yoke connecting two, so that they would walk together in their journey.

Jesus is inviting us to do life differently than we have been, to consciously choose to do life the way we were created to in the first place. We weren’t meant to flounder as we try to keep our head above water in the midst of surging waves. We were meant to rise above the waves entirely. Peter could walk on water when his eyes were fixed on Jesus. Whether the waters of life are calm or chaotic, we can stand strong when we are connected to the only One who has power over the water. “Quiet!” “Be still!” and they are. He has power over it all because he created it all.

To throw it back, “Jesus take the wheel,” but in scripture. When we are connected, yoked, to him he leads and we follow. It sounds so counter-cultural to what we hear today. If this challenges you, keep reading to see the importance and the blessing it is that Jesus does lead us. Have you ever found yourself feeling lost? Have you ever proceeded down a path, daydreaming of all the things that would greet you at the end of it, only to find yourself in a place completely unlike what you thought it would be? Have you ever regretted a choice once you found out where it would lead you? Either we let Jesus lead, or our emotions (which can shift like shadows and deceive us,) other people, or ourselves with limited understanding can lead. “Hindsight is 20/20,” often meets us in a situation where we thought we had it all figured out, only to find ourselves in unexpected, undesirable territory.

When we let Jesus lead, life loses its heaviness. I am not going to say we don’t experience trials, challenges, physical or emotional pain. Jesus never promised a problem-free life, in fact he said the opposite. “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33, emphasis added.) Jesus kept it real. We would have trouble. But, in him alone would we find an unwavering source of peace in spite of it all. Furthermore, victory is already guaranteed over all things as Jesus has overcome the world. He has the final say in every situation you face.

Despite any season you find yourself in, Jesus assured you that his burden is light. When we feel ourselves carrying heaviness that seems to manifest in our emotions, thoughts, even our body language, it is because we are like the animal carrying the load alone. Take the pain, the problem, whatever it is, and visualize yourself laying it down in front of the One who can do all things. We are limited by our knowledge of this situation, our physical and emotional strength, even time and space. Jesus isn’t limited at all. He carries the weight of the pain, the difficulty or uncertainty before us, and we can feel freedom to experience true peace and joy despite the circumstances surrounding us.

Let’s try a playful visualization. Imagine you are a calf and Jesus is the Ox beside you. What can you do? Not much, there is so much you have to grow and learn. It isn’t meant to be discouraging, it is simply reality. However, how much can the experienced, strong ox beside you do as you walk parallel to him? He carries the entire load. You merely keep in step with him. He turns left, you turn left. He continues on down that path, you keep company with the One who forever wants your company. He cares for you. He takes care of you.

Let me ask you again: Are you weary? Are you hurting from the burden you have been carrying? Accept Jesus’ invitation to come alongside him, keep in step with him, be conscious of the tendency to wander, and keep your feet and gaze from straying. Trust Jesus to pull the load for you. All of it. He is capable, far more than us.

Jesus offers rest for your soul, and an unwavering peace despite any situation you find yourself in. All you need to do is accept his outstretch hand. Lay it all at his feet. Trust. Rest. So, what are you waiting for?

Prayer: Lord, you are such a good Father. We are like children, and although that may discourage some, it doesn’t discourage us because we are your children. You take such good care of us, and you always will. You never said life would be pain or problem-free, but you did promise us that in you we would have peace despite it all. You hold every single one of us in your hands, and nothing can snatch us away. You have no rival. You have no equal. You reign over every situation before us, even this one that is leaving us weary and feeling heavy. God we surrender it all at the foot of your throne, that’s where it belongs. Lead us as we yoke ourselves to you. Keep our feet and gaze from wandering away from you. Show us how light the burden truly is as we leave it all with you, an All-Sufficient God. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.