Cast your burden on the Lord,
And He shall sustain you;
He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.

(Psalm 55:22 NKJV)

What stresses you out? According to the American Psychological Association, money is the number one contributor to stress in America. Relationships, jobs, a busy schedule and especially a traffic jam can create stress.

This giant we call stress causes physical problems, emotional problems, and even spiritual problems. It can create rifts between family members and friends. It can consume so much of our life that we barely have time to breathe, much less time to pray. Is it even possible to remove the immense weight of stress that we bear?

In 1 Samuel chapter seventeen, Israel had a giant problem, Goliath. This monstrosity towered over the Israelite army. Theologians estimate his height at somewhere between 8.5 to almost ten feet. His bronze armor weighed anywhere from one hundred-fifty to two hundred pounds.

Even on a man his size, his heavy armor would have encumbered his speed.

Brave David desired to kill Goliath, while the Israelite army trembled. David convinced King Saul that he was capable since he had killed lions and bears while shepherding his father’s flock.

“The Lord, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” (1 Samuel 17:37b NKJV)

Saul dressed young David in his heavy armor, but David removed it. He wasn’t used to something so weighty and restrictive. Instead, David took his slingshot, his staff, and selected five stones from the brook. With one stone, Goliath fell over dead.

Stress burdens us like that heavy armor. Busy Schedules, too many responsibilities, and difficult seasons take their toil on us.

Our stress encumbers us. We can be as victorious as David when we shed the excess baggage of stress.

Instead of allowing stress to minimize our time with God, we need to give our battle to Him. We can take up our staff, symbolizing the Holy Spirit. He directs us in life’s decisions. Reach into the water, the Word of God. A diet of truth will keep us grounded through days of hardship. Don’t forget the five stones. In Scripture, the number five represents God’s grace. His goodness will help us win the battle.

Stress occurs when man tries to solve God-size problems.

Jesus told us to cast our cares on Him. He doesn’t want us carrying loads that He can carry for us. When we give it to Jesus, we will experience freedom from all the tempers, all the bad moods, all the worry, and all the tension. Through Holy Spirit guidance, the truth of God, and His unlimited grace, we will no longer muddle through life weighed down. We will slay the giants in our lives.

Heavenly Father, I know You offer to carry my burdens. I’m accustomed to working them out on my own. Help me remember that I don’t have to carry it because You are the only One who is capable of the job. In Jesus’ name, amen.

DIG DEEPER

Read 1 Peter 5:7 NKJV:

casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

HIKING THE TRAIL

Quite often, we give God our burdens, but after we say “Amen,” we take the burden with us. Use an empty basket or box. Each time you pray about a particular issue, write it down on a piece of paper and put it in the box. If you find yourself picking it back up, put it in the box again. This tangible action will help you remember you have given this problem to God. Continue to pray about it, but consider the problem in God’s hands.

RELATED RESOURCE

When life really gets tough, you need a tough devotional. Overcoming the Overwhelming: Walking in Victorious Faith When You Don’t Feel Victorious is a 30-day devotional designed with the toughest times in mind. It will serve as a reminder of God’s truth and strength when you feel alone. Click here for details.

Originally posted on February 8, 2021 @ 3:00 am