Struggling Under a Heavy Load

As I deal with people on a regular basis, I find many who think everything is just going great. The attitude that life is great so everything is great prevails—at least until you begin to dig a little deeper. Soon, you discover many have clothed themselves with this façade of “everything’s okay,” when in reality, they are struggling under a very heavy load in life.

On the outside people are smiling and appear content, while on the inside, hurts and pains from life’s ongoing struggles are choking the life right out of their being. Every day we all come into contact with people who are hurting—struggling just get by, but we just pass them by. That person could even be you today? Maybe you can relate very well to what I am talking about?

I was thinking about the life of the little guy named Zacchaeus. His life appeared to be going okay—at least for him. He was doing well financially although others disliked him because he was the tax-man. However, he apparently wasn’t content with his life—he was seeking after something more.

The Scripture tells us that Jesus was headed in his direction but his short stature prevented him from being able to see over the crowds, so “he climbed up a sycamore tree to see Jesus” (Luke 19:4 HCSB). Now, why would he care so much about seeing Jesus? Wasn’t life as great on the inside as he portrayed it to be on the outside? Apparently not! And Jesus knew it!

Jesus “looked up and said to him, ‘Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, because today I must stay at your house.’ So he quickly came down and welcomed Him joyfully” (vv. 5-6). Of course the crowds saw nothing good in Zacchaeus as they accused Jesus of lodging “with a sinful man” but Jesus looked beyond the façade of contentment and saw a life struggling under a heavy load.

The love, mercy and grace expended to this man by Jesus loosed the shackles that bound him up and transformed his rock-hard heart into a supple heart, loving, giving heart. Zacchaeus responded to the Lord’s interaction into his life by saying: “I’ll give half of my possessions to the poor, Lord! And if I have extorted anything from anyone, I’ll pay back four times as much!” (v. 8).

Certainly we see a great work of salvation in this man’s life but we also see a great release from all the inner-struggles he had been dealing with for many years. The freedom offered by Jesus is a freedom that is complete as He said in John 8:36: “Therefore if the Son sets you free, you really will be free” (John 8:36 HCSB).

Zacchaeus discovered freedom from his sins as well as the heavy load he had been carrying along through his life. He discovered the freedom of Jesus. He discovered what Jesus was referring to when He said: “Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. All of you, take up My yoke and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for yourselves. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).

Peter encourages us to: “cast all your care upon Him, because He cares about you” (1 Peter 5:7). Whatever you are struggling with today, Jesus wants to lift that burden from you and set you free to enjoy His presence and to have life in great abundance (John 10:10).

Don’t struggle along any longer under your heavy load; rather, give it over to Jesus!

Scripture Reading: How happy is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered! How happy is the man the Lord does not charge with sin, and in whose spirit is no deceit! When I kept silent, my bones became brittle from my groaning all day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy on me; my strength was drained as in the summer’s heat. Then I acknowledged my sin to You and did not conceal my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and You took away the guilt of my sin. Therefore let everyone who is faithful pray to You at a time that You may be found. When great floodwaters come, they will not reach him. You are my hiding place; You protect me from trouble. You surround me with joyful shouts of deliverance. I will instruct you and show you the way to go; with My eye on you, I will give counsel. Do not be like a horse or mule, without understanding, that must be controlled with bit and bridle, or else it will not come near you. Many pains come to the wicked, but the one who trusts in the Lord will have faithful love surrounding him. Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous ones; shout for joy, all you upright in heart. (Psalm 32 HCSB).

Personal Prayer: Father in heaven, I thank You for always being near and always helping me. Your abundant love, mercy and grace are forever strongholds that uphold me and strengthen me. I pray that You would lift away my inner struggles today. Set me free from their weight so I may live in the abundance of freedom that You offer to all who will trust in You. I love You and praise You today, O Lord…in Jesus’ name…AMEN!