I did some crazy things as a biology teacher like dissecting a frozen rattlesnake (venom stays viable when frozen) and assigning students to parenthood using fresh eggs (broken eggs in the hallways). The craziest was bringing an iguana into the classroom to live.

Why was this a crazy idea? Iggy was not very obedient and escaped every chance he could. He managed to get outside and into a tree, so we called Animal Control and a dramatic rescue ensued. 

The rescue was crazy, but a few days later as I placed him on my shoulder during my first-period lecture on Reptilian biology, he died.

A student kept telling me he thought Iggy was dead, but I refused to listen as I thought he was not yet warmed up enough to move. The bell rang, I reached up to take Iggy off my shoulder, and to my amazement — Iggy was stiff as a board and dead!

I am asked many times to tell my Iguana story because most think it is funny, and it really was the talk of the community for a while. Just recently I retold the story upon request, except God used the story to speak truth into my heart in a most unexpected way. I heard the Holy Spirit say that I continue to carry dead things around on my shoulders and refuse to cast them off.

“You are guilty of continuing to carry burdens through constant worry and anxiety.”

“Lord, I cannot carry this burden on my shoulders anymore!” I said in prayer, more like crying out in agony.

“I am casting it all on You, please take it! My heart is heavy, and I need You. I know I can trust You with my concerns because You care for me.”

BURDENS

We all get loaded down with anxiety and fears. Grief, broken relationships, finances, strained marriages, concern for our children, stress of a job. Name it, and it can weigh heavy on your mind.

Burdens hang on us like that dead Iggy was hanging on my shoulder. Joy is lost and sleep becomes elusive. We want to stop the worry but end up taking it right back up again.

Burdens can make you feel like you are carrying 100 pounds of dead weight on your shoulders. The Bible tells us,

“Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.” Psalm 55:22 

I am grateful that I don’t have to bear my burdens alone. 

Jesus bears them with me. God hears my prayers!! He is good! 

But, what do I do when the weight of my burdens crushes in on me and I can’t let it go?

The Hebrew for “cast” is hasheleke and that should be read as a command from the Lord. Not just a good idea or a better way to live but a commandment!

How do I cast my cares on Him and be free of worry and anxiety?
  1. SPEAK IT LOUDLY, AND SPEAK IT DEEPLY FROM YOUR HEART! Tell God exactly what your burdens are. Cry out in prayer–out loud
  2. STUDY. Get into God’s word! If you have a specific burden that is dragging you under, name it and start looking for verses in the Bible that deal with it. If you don’t know where to start, just try Googling “Bible verses on ________”.
  3. WORSHIP. Burden-bearing makes us self-centered. It’s all about our problems, our situation, our feelings…YUCK. Worship takes our eyes off all our messes and fixes our eyes on the awesomeness of our God!  Put on your garment of praise to keep unnecessary weight off.

Worry and anxiety have been wearing me down these days under so much uncertainty. I lay it down and then I pick up that dead Iggy and place it right back on my shoulders. I know God is telling me to just trust Him because He is in control and my life is in His sturdy hands.

He is the same God who delivered me from infertility and allowed me to have three amazing children.

He is the same God who carried me when I suffered through the passing of my two oldest children.

He is the same God who sustained me after my diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis.

Give it to Jesus.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart; and you will find rest. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

 —Matthew 11:25-30

Are you coming to Jesus every day through your prayers and fellowship with Him? Are you seeking His wisdom in the problems you face?

When you take Jesus’ yoke upon you, that means that you are joined with Him, walking together with Him.

He is built to carry the heavier burden; you are not.

Seeing Him rightly in your relationship with Him is the only way that you can get that weight off you and find rest for your soul.

These are perplexing and challenging times in the world. It is human and normal to feel fear and anxiety. But our prayers reach the throne room of Heaven! God is listening. Tell Him your concerns. He is working on your behalf even before you utter a word! 

PRAYER

Dear Jesus, we know this life is not always easy and light. It is full of trials and tests. There are issues and concerns within every family and community that have caused our fears and uncertainty. But life is more joyful when we trust in You and rest in You, for only in You, Lord Jesus, can we truly find rest. Your shoulders are big, and Your hands are sturdy. Amidst suffering and pain, we follow You, Lord, and cast the dead things off our shoulders and place it at Your feet. 

Our lives will become lighter because we keep Your Word and live by it. When we follow, You, Jesus, life will be lighter as God lives in us.                                                                              

In Your most Holy Name,
AMEN.

Rebekah Marsh
Lean Into Jesus Ministry
#rebekahmarshblogs

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Saturday, February 15

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