#174 - Leave your baggage at the cross

As Christians, we’ve all heard this saying before. You may have heard it worded slightly differently than this, but the meaning is still the same…give your problems to God.

This is a lesson that I learned in earnest about 8 years ago when I was going through some of my darkest and most difficult times. At the time I was going through my divorce, ending an affair, and trying to work through financial issues brought on by years of emotional spending.

At what seemed to be my lowest point, not knowing where to turn or what to do next, I turned to God. I’d heard for years that when you are having problems give them to God. Ask Him to carry your load. I did exactly that! It was a simple prayer that went something like this. “Lord, I need your help. I’m struggling right now. I can’t do this on my own anymore. I need your help. Please lift this burden from my shoulders. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.”

The amazing thing for me was that within seconds of praying that prayer I felt a weight lifted from my shoulders. I felt a sense of peace that I hadn’t felt in a long time.

My troubles didn’t magically disappear, they were still there. What did happen though, is that I started to see things a little more clearly. I was able to start to seeing some better solutions to the problems I was dealing with. I wasn’t overwhelmed with day-to-day life anymore.

In the past few weeks I have been reminded of the need for this prayer both personally and professionally. I shared this prayer with one of my dearest friends recently. She is struggling with kids, an alcoholic ex, an ex that won’t step up and be a father to his sons, and business issues that have her overwhelmed and at a loss for what to do next. She has days where she can barely function because she feels so overwhelmed.

One day a couple of weeks ago, she was having a particularly rough day. I shared my prayer with her and prayed if for her. The very next day she told me she had had a better day.

I’ve shared this prayer with a couple of other people and each one said it made a difference. They were able to get through some tough situations a little more easily.

The idea is that you give your worry to God. Let him carry that burden. When you free yourself from your worries, you are able to work on your problems or issues with greater clarity and effectiveness.

When you’re going through a particularly tough time, feel overwhelmed, and are not sure what to do or where to turn next, think of this prayer. Let God give you a hand with your troubles. There is nothing He can’t and won’t help you handle. You just have to ask.

Just make sure you don’t take your troubles back. Don’t start worrying about them again. Have confidence that God is working on your behalf. I can’t tell you how, or when, or why. All I can tell you is that prayer works. Just have faith that He is there to help you if you let Him.

I hope you’ll remember this prayer or maybe even come up with one of your own when you are struggling with issues that you don’t know how to resolve.

If you enjoyed today’s topic and would like to see more, check out my other blogs and vlogs right here on my website, RickSoetebier.com. While you’re here, request a copy of The 5 Biggest Dating and Relationship Mistakes and How to Avoid Them. It’s FREE for the asking!