If you live in a cold climate, have you ever woken up to discover that there had been an ice storm overnight? You look outside to find the bare branches of the trees are encased in a thick layer of ice.

The effect can be absolutely stunning. The branches glisten and sparkle in the sunlight. People rush outside to take photos of the ice-covered trees.

But the beauty masks a danger: those bare branches are at risk. They were never meant to carry the weight of so much ice. The branches may break off, and the tree can be left devastated.

Do you ever feel like you’re carrying too much “weight”?

We often take on too much responsibility in our lives; we carry too much weight on our shoulders. We try to juggle being a spouse, parent, employee, friend, and volunteer. It may look impressive from the outside: people might even admire our glistening, seemingly perfect lives.

But behind the facade lies an uncomfortable fact: we’re at risk. We were never meant to carry all those burdens ourselves. It may seem like we’re coping, but the weight will soon become too much to bear.

The truth is, we’re about to break.

I don’t think God ever meant us to live like this. I don’t think He wants us to make ourselves miserable trying to attain a level of perfection in our lives that’s simply impossible. I think God wants us to rest in His love and to believe that He accepts us as we are.

Listen to what Jesus says in Matthew 11:28-30:

“Come to me, all of you who are weary and over-burdened, and I will give you rest! Put on my yoke and learn from me. For I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Phillips)

Are you at the breaking point in your life? Are you trying to do it all yourself? Let go of your burdens and give them to God; trust that He’ll take care of you (Psalm 55:22).

Scripture says that those who trust in God are blessed:

“They are like trees planted along a riverbank,
with roots that reach deep into the water.
Such trees are not bothered by the heat
or worried by long months of drought.
Their leaves stay green,
and they never stop producing fruit.” (Jeremiah 17:8 NLT).

Stop trying to carry burdens and worries that you were never meant to carry. Don’t let yourself get to the emotional breaking point. Instead, cast all your cares on God, because He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7).

Trust that your loving God will sustain you and help you.

If you do that, you’ll be like a tree that can weather any storm in life!

© 2020 Lori J. Cartmell. All rights reserved.